Community Curators – A Month of Discovery and Connection

Our incredible Community Curators have had a packed few weeks, diving into their themes, engaging their communities, and unearthing powerful local stories.

Last week, each of our curators led special activities designed to explore and celebrate Southampton’s hidden histories – all part of the journey towards creating a spectacular light trail in February 2026.

Beth held a thoughtful workshop with members of the neurodivergent community, where participants shared personal reflections on history, identity, and visibility. Using their unique perspectives, they co-created a narrative that explores how Southampton’s stories can be told through a neurodivergent lens – celebrating both the visible and the unseen.

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Beth created a safe and welcoming space for us to learn and ask questions.

Anon, CR2 Beth’s Workshop

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The tour in particular brought the project to life, giving us much to consider.

Anon 2, CR2, Beth’s Workshop

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The tour in particular brought the project to life, giving us much to consider.

Anon 3, CR2, Beth’s Workshop

Stephen led a walking visit to SeaCity Museum with his group from Communicare, diving into the theme of ships and shipping. For many, the experience unlocked long-forgotten memories of working in the docks or brought forward powerful stories passed down through generations – including one participant’s recollection of returning to the UK from South Africa aboard The Pendennis Castle.

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“We had a brilliant time at SeaCity Museum today, such a great venue and the perfect place for ideas to be sparked. Lots of chatting and laughter with a little bit of a dream team! I now have a tidal wave of stories and notes to steer RMS Communicare through but everyone felt energised and glad to be there today. ”

Stephen, CR2, Community Curator

Ri welcomed local LGBTQIA+ community members to a free creative writing session at October Books. Drawing inspiration from the hidden treasures in the Southampton City Art Gallery store, they crafted beautiful, heartfelt postcards to their younger selves, capturing hopes, resilience, and untold stories. Ri also designed handmade invitations for the session, inspired by art collector Arthur Jeffress – a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a key figure in the gallery’s history.

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“We had a beautiful workshop this morning with the local LGBTQIA+ community at October Books in Portswood, looking through stand-out pieces and stories from the collection, and making and writing new ones. ”

Ri, CR2, Community Curator

Rajan brought 24 members of the local Asian community together for a heritage tour around SeaCity, Tudor House, and King John’s Palace. For some, it was their first time visiting these spaces. It sparked rich conversations, fresh ideas, and a renewed sense of pride in Southampton’s diverse heritage.

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What resonated most with me was the care and effort put into preserving these sites. It made me reflect on the importance of heritage—not just as a record of the past, but as a way to educate, inspire, and connect future generations. Overall, the experience left me more aware of how vital it is to protect these cultural assets and how they contribute to the uniqueness and character of a city.

Anon, CR2, Rajan’s Workshop

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The collections housed within these sites, such as artifacts, paintings, tools, and documents, deepened my appreciation for the city’s cultural and historical identity. They allowed me to visualize daily life in a different time and helped me understand how the city has evolved socially, economically, and politically.

Anon 2, CR2, Rajan’s Workshop

Abs has been exploring Black history through the lens of Black Plaques and Black History Month South – drawing particular inspiration from the Windrush Oral History Stories. His reflections are helping to shape a vital and often underrepresented strand of the wider narrative.

All of the ideas, stories and memories collected will now help shape the final concepts being handed over to Double Take Projections and Light Up Trails, who will transform them into striking light projections to be unveiled in early 2026.

Keep following for more behind-the-scenes updates as the trail begins to take shape!