Our Freedom: Then and Now – Threads of Freedom
This year, The Spring are proud to be part of Future Arts Centre’s nationwide project Our Freedom: Then and Now, a creative exploration of what freedom means to us today. Marking the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day, the project asks communities across the country to reflect on freedom in their own words, images, and creative expressions.
Here in Havant, we are working with local people to create a new textile artwork that captures our community’s voices, ideas, and hopes.
Introducing “Threads of Freedom”
We are delighted to announce that artist and researcher Helen Sill has been commissioned to lead this special project. Rooted in Helen’s participatory practice and inspired by historic autograph cloths, Threads of Freedom will be developed through a series of joyful, hands-on workshops with schools, local groups, and drop-in sessions across Havant this autumn. The final outcome will be a modular mixed media artwork reflecting the voices and creativity of the people involved linking current freedoms to freedoms of the past.
Helen’s work sits at the intersection of drawing, contemporary craft and heritage practice. As well as giving talks about textiles and teaching stitch based workshops past projects include a residency at Chichester Festival Theatre and ongoing collaborations with textile artisans in Gujarat. The selection panel felt her thoughtful approach to visual storytelling was a perfect fit for this project
Joining Helen to deliver this project is artist Tanya Wood. Tanya is a Hampshire based artist whose work consists mainly of highly detailed drawings. Her practice has been enriched by many years spent as a textile based artist. Using needle or pencil she explores her surroundings and the everyday.
‘I am delighted to be invited by Helen to join this exciting project. I look forward to assisting Helen, sharing our creativity, skills and encouragement with all those taking part.’
How you can get involved
Everyone is welcome to take part, whether you are a seasoned maker or have never picked up a needle before. Each contribution—big or small—will help shape the final artwork.
To take part, all you need to do is draw a picture or write a word or short phrase about what freedom means to you. If you’d like to stitch it, great – or we’ll stitch it for you.
You can join Helen and our team at the following public sessions, or pop into The Spring to collect materials and instructions to do it in your own time!
- Sunday 14 September – Havant Fayre, 10am–4pm – Open to all
- Thursday 18 September – Havant Library Craft Club, 10am–12pm
- Friday 19 September – Hayling Island Library Stitch and Sew Club, 10am–12 noon
- Saturday 20 September – The Spring, Drop-in over Music Bites, 12.30pm–2pm – Open to all
- Tuesday 23 September – Leigh Park Library, Knitter Natter Club, 1pm–3pm
- Wednesday 24 September – Waterlooville Library Needlecraft Club, 1.30pm–3.30pm
- Tuesday 14 October – The Spring, 10am-12pm – Open to all
- Wednesday 15 October – The Spring, 10am-12pm – Open to all
If you are unable to attend any of these sessions but would still like to contribute to this project, please contact us via info@thespring.co.uk.
Drop your drawings and stitching into The Spring by 20 October and they will be incorporated into the final artwork!
Why this matters
At The Spring, we believe in the power of arts, culture, and heritage to connect people and change lives. Our Freedom: Then and Now is about more than marking history—it’s about creating something together, in the present, that reflects who we are and what freedom means to us today.
We hope you’ll join us to stitch your story into this unique piece of art.