Ann Hamilton's We Will Sing - Bradford 2025

We Will Sing was the last project I thought I'd have the opportunity to work on this year. In April, Dr Claire Wellesley-Smith reached out as we'd worked on 509 Arts Lost Mills and Ghost Mansions together. She offered teaming up as the Live Programme Producers for Ann Hamilton's installation in the rooftop space of Salts Mill, commissioned by Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture and Arts Council England. 

How could I say no? 

So I've spent the past six months bringing community groups on specialist trips of the space, coordinating the live readers in the booth, and producing public events to celebrate the work. We had choirs performing, a panel discussion with the artist and curators, letters to the future written, poetry shared, prayers sung - and so much more. 

The team involved are expansive and have so generously supported this project. Working with an international textile artist such as Ann Hamilton is unlike any other experience - she is generous, trusting and full of love for the connections made in the space. 

I will miss my time spent in the rooftop space of Salts Mill. The beautiful discussions over coffee and cake in the Espresso Bar. Emily Eagen's whistles through the revolving horns as I arrive through the lift. But as Ann said so gently in the panel on Friday, "We Will Sing lives on inside you now."