Art of Connection - Making Safe Spaces exhibition at Huddersfield Literature Festival

On Thursday 8th May 2026 we opened Art of Connection – Making Safe Spaces at Amped Cafe as part of the Huddersfield Literature Festival.

The exhibition brought together photography, collage and poetry created over the past few months through workshops with primary school children and older adults in Huddersfield.

Across the sessions, people shared stories, memories, reflections and experiences through creative activities including photography, collage, jewelery making, poetry and conversation. The project created opportunities for people from different generations to spend time together, listen to each other and reflect on the things that help people feel safe, connected and valued.

The exhibition opening was a chance to bring all of this work together publicly and celebrate the creativity, openness and generosity people brought to the project.

Alongside the artwork, visitors experienced live poetry performances developed with Michelle Scally Clarke, shaped from participants’ own words and reflections gathered throughout the workshops.

It was lovely to see conversations continuing throughout the evening as people explored the work, connected with each other and reflected on their own experiences of safety and belonging.

Huge thanks to everyone who took part in the project and exhibition, to the schools and staff who hosted and supported the workshops, and to Jo McFarlane for being such an important creative collaborator throughout the process.

This project was supported by funding from the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s Safer Communities Fund and Arts Council England as part of our wider Art of Connection project exploring creativity, participation and community connection.