During autumn 2021, Helix Arts worked with residents at HMP Northumberland as part of a national programme titled Inspiring Futures. Artist Craig Conway facilitated conversations that compared individuals’ experiences and circumstances and looked at where, if at all, a positive shared influence could inspire change. Residents used creative writing, poetry and journals in order to share experiences. The resulting conversations have been moulded into a piece of spoken word presented as a conversation between a resident and his younger self and entitled Avant Guard.
Avant Guard will be presented at the NCJAA showcase on 21 March at Rich Mix, London, but you can listen to it on our website here.
The showcase brings together members of the NCJAA network for a day of performances and workshops. Helix Director, Cheryl Gavin, will be part of a panel discussing workforce sustainability. Following the showcase, our Avant Guard audio will stay in place for a week in the venue on a listening post, allowing members of the public to listen and reflect on the piece.