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The “Wales: A Home from Home” project was a years in planning, 18 months in creating and spent 8 months as an exhibition.
Project Overview of “Wales: A Home from Home”
The “Wales: A Home from Home” project documents migration to Wales through multimedia storytelling and community engagement.
- The project focuses on the lived experiences of individuals from diverse global heritage backgrounds in Wales.
- It includes 28 recorded oral histories, portrait photography, archival materials, and immersive 360° video.
- The project highlights themes of displacement, identity, and belonging through personal narratives.
- Workshops and exhibitions were held at 13 venues, reaching a broad audience, including isolated communities.
Community Involvement and Partnerships
The project engaged various community organizations to foster trust and participation.
- Collaborated with organizations like The Red Cross, Yemeni Centre, local mosques, temples and churches to reach diverse communities.
- Significant time was spent building relationships with participants to ensure their stories were authentically represented.
- Educators from multiple institutions contributed to the project, including from Additional Learning Needs Schools, council libraries and Universities enhancing its educational impact.
Exhibition Formats and Attendance
The project featured two main exhibition formats, attracting significant visitor engagement.
- A six-week exhibition at Senedd Cymru included 20 display panels, large-scale portraits, and immersive VR experiences.
- A touring pop-up exhibition was designed for community venues, featuring 16 pop-up banners, videos and interactive VR content.
- Total attendance reached 15,874 visitors across 13 venues, with 630 child participants engaging in workshops.
Production Workshops and Engagement
Workshops were designed to engage isolated groups and promote digital inclusion.
- 27 workshops were conducted, focusing on expressive arts and digital technologies.
- Participants created large-scale collage artworks based on migration stories, fostering creativity and understanding.
- Young learners experienced immersive technology, enhancing their engagement with global heritage narratives.
Feedback from Participants and Educators
Participants and educators provided positive feedback on the project’s impact on learning and engagement.
- Teachers noted that the project allowed students to explore different cultures and express their creativity through art.
- Students reported feeling a connection to the stories shared, enhancing their understanding of diversity.
- The use of VR technology was particularly praised for its ability to immerse participants in different cultural experiences.
Evaluation Data and Project Outcomes
The project achieved several key outcomes related to heritage understanding and community well-being.
- Heritage was better identified and explained, broadening definitions to include migration and cultural contributions.
- 15,874 visitors engaged with the exhibitions, with many expressing a newfound appreciation for diversity in Wales.
- The project fostered greater well-being and connection to place among participants, reinforcing cultural identity and pride.
Skills Development and Future Prospects
The project supported skill development for young participants and community organizations.
- Young learners gained introductory experience in immersive storytelling and digital media production.
- Educators and community staff increased their understanding of how to use immersive technologies in heritage contexts.
- Vision Fountain strengthened its organizational capacity and partnerships, enhancing future funding prospects and project sustainability.
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