Engagement and Learning
Engaging communities with their heritage is at the heart of our practice. Becks works with museums and heritage sites on a wide range of projects, designing and delivering activities as well as developing her own projects in response to community needs and the subjects she is passionate about.
Below are some of the projects that she has been involved in.
The New Mrs Davidson
Inspired by a 1911 wedding dress in The Beacon Museum’s collection, Becks set out to recreate a period ‘going-away’ outfit using her 1905 Frister and Rossmann sewing machine, while developing her historical hand-sewing skills. During sewing residencies at the Beacon Museum and in local community venues, visitors could engage with the outfit’s creation and follow the process as it unfolded. Developed by Hardheads Heritage with funding from Arts Council England, the project included textile-history workshops for schools and community groups, alongside a series of talks. Versions of the school workshop and talk remain available to interested groups.
War and Peace in West Cumberland
Marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, this ACE funded project was developed by Hardheads Heritage in collaboration with local museums. It developed a series of creative workshops for schools and youth groups exploring the impact of the war on the Home Front in West Cumberland, led by the fictional character of Mrs Brown of the WVS. The project also supported local museums in developing and delivering activities during the commemorative period.
Roman Roadshow
As Community Engagement Consultant to Senhouse Roman Museum, Becks developed the Roman Roadshow, an outreach programme for communities across Maryport and West Cumbria. A handling collection and supporting activities were created, with sessions delivered at the Museum, in local schools and youth groups, and at larger events including Taste of the Sea.
Wool Stories
Supported by an Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice grant, this project was inspired by bobbins in Keswick Museum’s collection. Becks explored new ways to interpret these objects and share the story of the wool industry, learning to spin while researching its heritage. This work led to the development of the Wool Stories talk and a series of drop-in sessions to test and refine ideas.
Sense of Place
The Sense of Place project was developed by Florence Arts Centre with support from Sellafield Ltd. Becks created a new schools programme that embraced Florence’s heritage as a former mine while looking ahead to its future as a centre for the arts in West Cumbria. New sessions included Picture of Mining, Create Your Own Florence and An Artist’s Box of Geology, supported by a teachers’ pack and a CPD event for local teachers. Becks continues to support the programme by delivering sessions on a freelance basis.