Over six joyous weeks, four tales of community growing brought school children, grain enthusiasts, and food lovers into the fold of We Feed The World, with a curated selection of work exhibited at Primary.
A joyful and optimistic view of our future. Thank you.
Val, exhibition attendee
Following a bustling launch event with activities for all the senses, from bread tasting to the sharing of seeds and worms, the stories of agroecology continued to enthuse Primary’s local community in Nottingham. Inspiration bubbled between brightly painted walls, hung with photography of grassroots growers from across the UK, and grew amongst the outdoor portraits that sprouted from planters in the old playground.
Thank you for holding space for hope and inspiration. I find myself adrift in anticipation but seeing here growth and action on foot has inspired me, and given me a way to rethink what I thought I knew.
Anastasia, exhibition attendee
Community feasting
During the exhibition run, two community meals were held in the gallery space, inviting attendees to reflect on the roots of our food with friends old and new.
Let’s start an allotment! A lovely space that celebrates community and diversity.
Kate & Zoë, exhibition attendees
Open Arms Organisation, a local initiative that redistributes supermarket castaways in free food parcels, brought warmhearted conversations and delicious hot curries to share amid the vibrant photographs on display.
Heya Nottingham, dedicated to strenghtening community in the area, hosted an Iftar, welcoming those of all (or no) faiths to share in a communal evening meal.
Poems with school children
School classes from Edna G. Olds Academy journeyed their way through each of the four stories in the exhibition, enriching their knowledge of climate change, environmental action, and food. Drawing inspiration from what they had seen, heard, and felt at the exhibition, the students wrote poems exploring these themes.
The poem is so beautiful.
Henry, school student and exhibition attendee
Collaborating and discussing
Outside in the fresh air
Miracles happen
Mental health contributes
Under the bright hot sun
Nature grows and flowers bloom
Incredible sights can be seen
Towering high trees grow and develop
Yes, communities make a differencePeople gather to celebrate great harvests
Utilising and planting precious seeds
Many foods go to helpful food banks
Plump pumpkins grow with ease
Kind humans help buglife thrive
Intentional effort makes a difference
Never is it too late to help our Earth
Women’s grain circle
Within Primary sits Small Food Bakery, an eatery serving up incredible bakes with a side of food justice and a passion for seed sovereignty. Adorning their walls for the exhibition duration was Seeds by Hot Poet Diz Undone (formerly Dizraeli). The wonderfully catchy verses tell the tale of Fred Price and Rosy Benson, the farmer-baker duo behind Field Bakery and protagonists of our Grain Rebels story.
March opened with farmers, millers, bakers, artists, food activists, and bread lovers gathering to share their perspectives and experiences of working with grain in a circle held by Rosy, alongside Small Food Bakery‘s Kimberley Bell.
Both Field Bakery and Small Food Bakery are members of the UK Grain Lab, a Community Interest Company advancing a more diverse UK-based grain economy.
Family seed sowing
The exhibition also marked the launch of Nottingham Seed Library. Containing a selection of the seeds shared at the launch event in a seed swap coordinated by Gaia’s Seed Sovereignty Programme alongside the Heritage Seed Library’s Sowing Your Seeds project and the newly established Notts Seed Network, the seed library invites growers and home gardeners alike to increase the diversity of life sprouting from local soils. The seeds, all locally-adapted and open-pollinated, are free to take; replenished by those who have an abundance of saved seeds to contribute.
A taste of the seeds have been sown in outdoor planters, home to Ayesha Jones‘ photographic curation of our No Diggity story, in a family gardening session led by Kathryn Cooper. With grubby hands and new wriggly companions, children had an immersive introduction to the world of seed. Come winter, the plants will be ready to refresh the library’s offering for another year.
A very life affirming exhibition. These projects show so much love and care – I wish that they continue to educate and inspire others to do similar.
Deborah, exhibition attendee
After an incredible run in Nottingham, enriched by all who joined, the exhibition is preparing for its next showing. Check our events page soon for upcoming tour dates or get in touch to host We Feed The UK or We Feed The World in a gallery community space near you.
