Visit our impactful art exhibition in the foyer
If you’ve popped into the Centre recently; for a concert, workshop, screening or even a meeting, you might have noticed changes in our foyer – recorded music, the cafe-bar open at peak times during the day, and currently, a striking photographic exhibition of black and white portraits.
The ‘Men in Conversation’ exhibition presents portraits of members of the Trowbridge Creative Conversations Men’s Group, a creative arts and heritage group for men aged 65+ held in Trowbridge Library. Facilitated by professional artist practitioners, Creative Conversations sessions bring together isolated older people to share their experience and creative ideas in a friendly and welcoming environment. So when Stuart Brook, one of the members of the Trowbridge men’s group shared his interest in photography, it wasn’t surprising that it inspired the participants to take portraits of each other. The results were so impactful, uplifting and moving, that they’re now on display at Wiltshire Music Centre until the end of July, before moving to Trowbridge Library, all made possible by funding from The Trowbridge Town Trust.
Photos from the exhibition and the Celebrating Age 5 year Celebration Event
The free-to-visit exhibition contributed to a Celebration event, marking the impact of the Celebrating Age Wiltshire partnership from 2020 – 2025. The event, attended by partners, funders, artists and community champions, showcased some of the many outcomes achieved through this project, funded by the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Artworks, as well as the exhibition included songs, spoken word, and art and heritage pieces, introduced by Creative Producer, Rebecca Seymour.
It was an opportunity for WMC to thank everyone that has contributed to this project to this point, including:
- Our funders – National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund. Wiltshire Council Area Boards, Town Councils, Wiltshire Community Foundation, Arts Council England and other Trusts and Foundations
- Our partners: Pound Arts, Wiltshire Creative, Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre, AgeUK, Wiltshire Council and Libraries and Community First
- Our artists: 65 in total!
- Creative Producer Rebecca Seymour and our staff team past and present,
- Our volunteers, community champions and community organisations
And to celebrate:
- 1,232 events
- 70 venues
- 23,421 older people and counting!
- 65 artists
- 120 local organisations
- 50 volunteers
In August, WMC will hand over the leadership of this award-winning, county wide project to AgeUK Wiltshire who will continue to reach isolated older people through creative arts and heritage events and workshop groups. We look forward to continuing to partner in this incredible project, as it continues to grow.
Watch the making of The Grey People, a song by Trowbridge and Melksham's men's groups
