The exhibition ‘Dorcas Stories from the Front Room, Caribbean textile narratives then and now’ co-curated by Rose Sinclair and Craftspace took place at the Mailbox, Birmingham from 23 September to 29 October 2023. There was an extended display of exhibits in a window box and a large window at the front of the unit until 14th December 23.

The exhibition was split into three sections: Windrush Arrivals, We are Here to Stay & Windrush Futures. It comprised: Rose Sinclair’s personal collection of textiles, objects and Jamaican Fashion Guild garments; archival Windrush photographs, Windrush landing cards, studio photographs from the Library of Birmingham Dyche collection archive, garments and ephemera from George Saunders tailor’s shop (National Trust Back to Backs), Althea McNish textile, textile objects from Vanley Burke’s personal collection including a tablecloth made by his mother with hand embroidered signatures of actors whom she had served in the canteen at the Alexandra Theatre.  ‘Windrush Futures’ section included contemporary Birmingham artists: Vanley Burke (photographer), Sara Fowles (textiles) and Norma Banton (jeweller & founder of Masterpeace Academy) with her own work plus work by jewellery tutors and students. Tihara Smith (designer) and Daniel Gayle (fashion designer) were also featured. An 8 week project with residents of Pannel Croft Retirement Village facilitated by local artists Dawn Denton and Annette Ratti resulted in creation of a large textile for display in the exhibition. 4 films and 4 podcasts about Black women knitters in Birmingham were integrated into the display. There was also an activity area and a sofa next to the podcasts enabling visitors to try their hand at weaving, smocking, knitting and crochet.

Events included a study day in partnership with BCU Centre for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, a teachers’ twilight session in partnership with the V&A, tours of the exhibition and creative workshops for all.

There were 1257 known visitors 26 days plus an estimated 800 further viewers of the external window display. A virtual tour is available at craftspace.co.uk/dorcas-stories/the-exhibition/. Visitor response was overwhelmingly positive. Out of 183 visitors surveyed: 72% strongly agreed the exhibition was distinctive, 90% strongly agreed that the exhibition was insightful, 88% strongly agreed the exhibition was rigorous. 63% were non- white British, of which 34% were Black (98% Black Caribbean), 10% Asian, 10% mixed (of which 42% Black Caribbean & white). 86% rated their overall experience as excellent, 65% said it exceeded their expectations, 47% were under 50 yrs of age, 14% disabled, 13% neurodivergent, 57% first time attending a Craftspace exhibition.

 Outcomes:

·        The co-curator and artists involved reported that they had learnt from and felt pride in showcasing their work collectively through the lens of Windrush legacy.

·        Community textile project participants learnt new textile skills and felt pride in how their achievements and contribution as Caribbean people to UK society had been documented and visually depicted.

·        The textile artwork produced by Pannel Croft Village residents/project participants will feature in a follow up small scale exhibition at the Village in 2024. It will then reside on permanent display in the village as a commemoration of Windrush 75.

·        Documentation of the exhibition, the local community textile created and stories from the project are being reproduced into teaching and learning materials for students at BCU’s School of Fashion and Textiles in partnership with the Centre for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.