A series of pop-up exhibitions celebrating three years of creativity across our Barnsley communities will be launched on 7 March.
Funded by Arts Council England via the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund, the Storying Barnsley programme has supported a wealth of creative activity, primarily across the towns of Cudworth, Goldthorpe, Hoyland, Penistone, Royston and Wombwell.
Now we are preparing to put on show a stunning selection of the work produced by our talented artists and residents.
Barnsley Civic will host an exhibition by photographer Sam Batley, titled A Barnsley Story, and an immersive installation from Lenny and Whale, whose Sanctuary of Colour activities engaged audiences around the borough last summer.
The Civic is also the place to experience Calling Barnsley, a bespoke phone box where you can hear evocative stories recorded by Barnsley College students, as well as examples of community created ‘townscapes’ and walking maps.
Library @ The Lightbox will host a textile installation created by artist Izzy Dabiri with Wombwell community groups.
Around the indoor market, there will be 3D sculptures giving a taste of artist Patrick Murphy’s upcoming virtual art trail – ARtQuest for Barnsley.
People exploring the trail, due to be launched later in the spring across our Principal Towns, will be able to scan QR codes to discover augmented reality creatures representing iconic beasts from Barnsley’s history, with a soundscape narrated by poet Ian McMillan.
Film-maker Sam Batley’s documentary ‘The Town I Love So Well’ - filmed in and around Goldthorpe and across Barnsley – will have its premiere at the Parkway Cinema on 17 March.
From 7 March to 11 April, Library @ The Lightbox will display large scale portraits of Barnsley’s creative community by photographer Sean O’Connell.
Following the town centre launch, many of the exhibits will be shared in towns and high streets across the Barnsley borough.
Cabinet spokesperson for Regeneration and Culture, Cllr Robin Franklin, said: “Our Storying Barnsley programme has engaged, entertained and inspired people of all ages and backgrounds over the past three years, giving them a voice and enabling them to tell their stories.
“We've also supported talented artists and creative practitioners to work with our communities and reach a wider audience with their work.
“From photography, art and story-telling projects to the magical musical The Heart of the Wood, we've shown our commitment to investing in our thriving creative economy and ensuring everyone in Barnsley can take part in and enjoy memorable cultural experiences.
“It is wonderful to be able to celebrate the fruits/outcomes/results of that amazing collaboration/teamwork with this magnificent exhibition in the town centre.
“I'd encourage everyone to come along to experience the diverse range of artwork and projects and see how Storying Barnsley has put our Barnsley communities firmly on the map.”
Arts Council Director, Yorkshire & the Humber, Northern Economy and Partnerships, Pete Massey, said: “We’re really pleased to have supported the Storying Barnsley programme through the Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport’s Cultural Development Fund.
“Our Let’s Create strategy wants everyone to be able to experience arts and culture, wherever they live and whatever their background.
“It’s great to see how the local communities and artists in Barnsley have embraced three years of creative activity and the wide-ranging exhibitions and programmes now available across the town for everyone to enjoy.”
Notes for editors
Storying Barnsley is Barnsley Council's three-year Cultural Development Fund (CDF2) engagement programme, funded by Department for Digital Culture, Media and Sport and administered by Arts Council England.
Funding was awarded to Barnsley Council in 2022 and after a period of research and development, the Storying Barnsley team started work on a range of projects across the borough, alongside the CDF2 programme of capital works at Elsecar Heritage Centre, Forging Ahead.
Storying Barnsley’s key objective is to bring art, artists and communities together in collaborative creative projects. This has been delivered through vital support for local communities and creative practitioners across Barnsley’s six Principal Towns and Elsecar.
Visit www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley for more information.
Our project team is available for interview and to provide more information and context around the Storying Barnsley programme. Please contact communications@barnsley.gov.uk with any media requests.
Programme of events
At Barnsley Civic
Sam Batley ‘A Barnsley Story’: 7 March – 28 March 2025
Lenny & Whale ‘Sanctuary of Colour’ 7 March – 11 April 2025
LUNG ‘Calling Barnsley’: 7 March – 11 April 2025
Opening times: Monday to Saturday: 10am – 4pm; Sunday: Closed.
At Barnsley Library @ The Lightbox
Sean O’Connell ‘Portraits of Barnsley Artists’: 7 March – 11 April 2025
Izzy Dabiri ‘ENGAGE / CREATE’: 7 March – 11 April 2025
Opening times: Monday: 9am – 7pm, Tuesday: 9am – 5pm, Wednesday: 9am – 7pm, Thursday: 9am – 5pm, Friday: 9am – 5pm, Saturday: 9:30am – 4pm; Sunday: Closed.
At Barnsley Market
‘ARtQuest for Barnsley’: 7 March – 11 April 2025
Opening times: Monday – Saturday: 8:30am – 4:30pm; Sunday: Closed
