Winchester City of Sanctuary and the University of Winchester are teaming up to host an art exhibition focused on exploring stories of asylum seekers and refugees across the city. 

The exhibition is part of the Winchester Migration History Project (WMHP) and will be held at Winchester Cathedral on November 23, 2022, alongside the Space for Sanctuary event. 

The project intends to explore the history of migration in Winchester, particularly forced migration, as well as the experiences of community groups that have settled in the city.  

It will take particular interest in the objects Winchester's sanctuary communities brought with them to the UK. 

Winchester City of Sanctuary is a community led group which helps those who are seeking safety by ensuring the city is welcoming and inclusive. 

The organisers of the project say they hope to create a positive narrative of migration through the visual exhibition of individual migrant stories and what ‘sanctuary’ means to them.

Dr Emily-Jayne Stiles, a historian from the University of Winchester working on the WMHP, said: “The exhibition itself will build on the theme of migrant stories. Focusing on the Sanctuary Communities of Winchester (and surrounding areas), we are creating a visual exhibition that explores local stories told in the words of asylum seekers and refugees. 

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"The concept of the exhibition is ‘Objects of Sanctuary’, which starts from the premise that our lives are shaped by our relationship to things. We are asking Winchester Sanctuary Communities what objects they brought to the UK, and why they were valued. We would be particularly interested in hearing from anyone with a local story of seeking sanctuary to tell.

“The aim here is for visitors to reflect on their own migration histories, and those of their neighbours, and to develop meaningful dialogue between local community groups.” 

The exhibition will be part of a cross arts event which will see contributors bring their own music, art, poetry theatre, dance. 

All are welcome to bring their instrumental or choral music, words, poems, movement, dance, visual arts.

This includes musicians, vocalists, choirs, schools, local groups, individuals, caterers, artists, crafters and photographers of all ages and stages. 

Space for Sanctuary is a collaboration between Winchester Cathedral, Winchester City of Sanctuary, University of Winchester Music Centre, Play to the Crowd, Hampshire Cultural Trust and others.

To sign up, visit bit.ly/SpaceforSancMusicSignup