The Old High Street Intra awards six micro commissions
Over the next six weeks people will be able to enjoy six projects by getting involved, sharing stories, writing poetry, delving into history of The Old High Street Intra
The Cultural Consortium for The Old High Street Intra, has selected the winners of six micro commissions which will help people learn about and celebrate this fascinating area through creativity and delving into history.
The Cultural Consortium, a newly formed group made up of arts organisations and community groups, has been established as part of the High Streets Heritage Action Zone Project (HSHAZ) to develop events and activities designed to encourage local people to explore the heritage and help regenerate The Old High Street Intra.
The Old High Street Intra is the area between Sun Pier in Chatham and Star Hill in Rochester and benefits from a rich past; a creative, enterprising present; and an exciting future.
Over the next six weeks people will be able to enjoy these six projects by getting involved, sharing stories, writing poetry, delving into history, reflecting on past events, creating artwork inspired by the area and celebrating the people who live, work and visit there.
Here is who the six micro commissions have been awarded to, details of what they’ll be doing and how you can get involved:
Closer Than You Think
A project remembering the Holocaust as experienced by the LGBTQIA and Jewish communities. The Ship Inn and Chatham Memorial Synagogue are decorated with fabric replicas of the pink triangles and yellow stars worn by prisoners in the concentrations camps, and an exhibition in the window of Intra Arts can be viewed until the end of February.
Ally Sinyard – The Medway Intra Poetry Walk
An interactive poetry and spoken word trail made up of works from Medway residents and local writers, based on their experiences, memories and relationships to the Intra area. The works will be uploaded in text and audio format, encrypted into QR codes and placed along the Old High Street Intra for everyone to discover, stumble upon, scan on their smartphones and enjoy.
Natasha Steer and George Atzev – St Bartholomew’s Hospital, ‘The historic heart of health in Medway for over 900 years’
Sharing historical information relating to the hospital from the archives, collecting memories from people who received care and worked there, including those who lived in the residential quarters. Then responding creatively to the findings.
The Living River Foundation – Slice of Medway #Litterarma
Litter including plastic from the River Medway has been encased into cubes, sliced and framed with driftwood, and will be installed along Intra high street. There are also opportunities to get involved in storytelling, creative writing and building a photo collage.
Hannah Whittaker – Cathedral of Community
A colourful spectacle dedicated to the people of Intra. Windows of buildings will be filled with tissue-paper stained glass portraits of the people behind the businesses and organisations of the area. Visible by day but also, more excitingly, lit up at night to create a dazzling display.
Medway Pride Radio
This new radio station began its life within the Intra community. The MPR team will be reaching out across Medway and indeed much, much further to bring us great music, some fantastic entertainment, a mix of DJ’s and presenters.
They will be showcasing the great and the good of Medway and beyond, including the exciting projects happening in Intra.
To find out more about the projects, tune in to Medway Pride Radio to hear from the creative individuals and teams behind these exciting projects.