Nelson Re-imagined

About

Nelson Reimagined: Artist Sharing is a weekend of artist-led events and activities for Nelson residents to enjoy and participate in, to explore new ideas about Nelson and join in an on-going conversation about its future.

Since November 2022, four artists have been researching in Nelson as part of Nelson Reimagined, the artist led programme strand of This Is Nelson. Nelson Reimagined introduces artists to people and places in Nelson to stimulate new ideas by mapping existing assets and activity that can contribute to the development of the town’s future. Each artist has focused on a different research inquiry and each will present their findings on the weekend of 29/30th April. In addition, Andy Abbott - artist and curator of the Nelson Reimagined programme - will present their Future of Work project. Everyone is welcome to each activity, wether you have taken part in the research process or are new to the project.

If you have accessibility questions, please get in touch with calum@in-situ.org.uk.

Saturday 29th April

Samantha Jones

Alternative Town Planning

11am - 1pm

Nelson Library, Market Square, BB9 7PU

Come and explore how models for community action might sustain positive change in Nelson beyond the Town Deal funding period. In this conversation-based workshop, ideas around self-management and collectivism will be discussed in relationship to Nelson’s communities and assets.

Andy Abbott

Future Of Work

1:30-2:30pm

Upstairs at 3B Systems, Carr Rd, BB9 7JS

Andy is designing a video game about The Future of Work in Nelson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUEepi4waCQ) and would like your help in creating the characters and content. We will use an interactive VR experience as a point of departure to imagine what our dream jobs would be in 2050 - What do you do? How did you get to where you are? Do you like it and are there any challenges?

*Please note that this venue is only accessible by staircase. We apologise for this access issue.

Michael Powell

Nelson Reimagined Artist Walk

4-6pm

Meet at Building Bridges Pendle, 20 Scotland Rd, Nelson, BB9 7UU

Join artist Michael Powell on an interactive walk and talk around Nelson town centre exploring some of the underused spaces he has found during his time working as an artist researcher on This Is Nelson. This walk will be jointly led by Paddy Spain of BPAC (Burnley Pendle Accessibility Campaign). There may be a few surprises along the way…

*The walking route is entirely wheelchair accessible and on route we will pass Nelson Train Station which has an accessible toilet.

Sunday 30th April

Kristina Borg

Self-Guided Foraging Walk

10am-12noon

Pavilion Café, Victoria Park, BB9 7SS

Pick up a zine and map from Kristina, developed through a series of walks with community members and foraging workshops with Pete Compston, and head out into Victoria Park. The zine will enable you to look at the park with a new lens, discovering the foraging potentials within the existing ecosystem. If possible, please bring a cotton tote bag with you.

Dana Olărescu

Experimental Food Festival

12:30-2:30pm

Hodge House Community Centre, Regent St, Nelson, BB9 8LJ

What does a sustainable, healthy, regenerative food system look like? What does Nelson’s food system look like at the moment?

Come join a free experimental food festival where you can taste everyone's cooking.

Socially engaged artist Dana Olărescu has launched a challenge: she distributed £20 to those who wanted to cook a dish from sustainably-sourced ingredients.

While trying various delicious home-made dishes we will learn about the sustainability story behind each one. Is it a simple or a daunting challenge? Can we reflect on this topic with honesty, integrity, and a desire to imagine the possible? A giant map of Nelson will be used to trace where all ingredients came from.

This event is open to all event: whether you have cooked, or just fancy a nibble, join us at the table.

Closing Event

Conversation with Artist Q&A

4-5pm

Building Bridges Pendle, 20 Scotland Rd, Nelson BB9 7UU

At the end of the weekend, join the This Is Nelson team and commissioned artists to reflect on the weekend’s activity and how the ideas presented may be taken forward. This conversation is open to all and we’ll be encouraging your feedback on what resonates with your interests and the needs of Nelson.

*Please note this venue is accessible by wheelchair but does not have an accessible toilet. The closest accessible toilet is at Nelson Train Station.