Our Cultures Our Stories: Exploring Identity Through Art Project Announcement, 19/09/25
Centrala is delighted to announce the next phase of Our Cultures, Our Stories, a new round of creative workshops and cultural events taking place in Redditch from September 2025 to February 2026.
This programme builds on our long-standing partnership with Reimagine Redditch, continuing our shared mission to support migrant women and families, particularly those from Central and Eastern European (CEE) and Slavic backgrounds, while remaining open and welcoming to people of all cultures.
Through a series of workshops and events, Our Cultures, Our Stories: Exploring Identity Through Art, explores themes of identity, heritage, migration, and belonging, offering a space where participants can connect, share stories, and express themselves through art. At its core, the project celebrates the diverse voices that make up Redditch’s cultural landscape and aims to strengthen understanding between communities.
Exploring Identity Through Creative Practice
Over six months, five evening workshops will invite participants to experiment with different forms of creative expression, from visual arts and traditional crafts to performance and collaborative storytelling.
The first session took place on Friday 5 September at Oakenshaw Community Centre, and introduced participants to creative techniques such as collage, drawing, and mixed-media art. Through these activities, participants were guided to reflect on their own journeys and heritage, using art as a way to share personal narratives and connect with others.
Future workshops will build on this foundation, exploring clay sculpture, photography, and folk-inspired crafts. Each session will form part of a collective journey of self-expression, culminating in a public showcase in February 2026, where the work created throughout the programme will be shared with the wider community.
About the artist facilitator Maggie Stick
Maggie Stick is a visual artist, facilitator, and zine-maker with over a decade of experience working in community settings. Her work focuses on storytelling, identity, and collective expression, using accessible materials such as collage, drawing, and printmaking to encourage creativity and participation.
Maggie’s practice is deeply rooted in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where people can explore their experiences through art. Her workshops are designed to be supportive and non-judgmental, offering participants the chance to reflect, connect, and express themselves freely.
Earlier this year, Maggie collaborated with Centrala and Reimagine Redditch to deliver a zine-making session with local women, exploring themes of heritage, migration, and shared values. This session sparked meaningful conversations and new connections within the community. Building on that experience, Maggie now returns to lead the Our Cultures, Our Stories workshops, guiding participants through a collective creative journey.
All the workshops will take place in Oakenshaw Community Centre from 7-9PM: 03/10/25, 12/12/25, 23/01/26
Family and Cultural Events
Alongside the evening workshops, the programme will include a special children’s clay workshop in November, designed to encourage intergenerational creativity and give families the opportunity to make art together.
In late November, Our Cultures, Our Stories will host a St Andrew’s Night event, continuing a tradition established in previous years. This evening will feature music, dance, food, and collaborative art-making, bringing together families and community members to celebrate shared heritage and create meaningful connections.
The Our Cultures, Our Stories project seeks to:
Amplify the voices of migrant women and families who are often underrepresented in the arts.
Strengthen bonds between cultures and generations within Redditch.
Provide meaningful opportunities for creative expression and skill development.
Inspire pride, belonging, and empowerment among participants.
By creating spaces where stories and traditions can be shared, the project highlights the richness of Redditch’s cultural life and the important role migrant communities play within it.
Continuing the Partnership
This programme represents the next step in Centrala’s ongoing collaboration with Reimagine Redditch, a relationship that began over a year and a half ago. Together, we continue to champion inclusive cultural participation and create opportunities for migrant voices to be heard.
With the support of Arts Council England, Our Cultures, Our Stories will not only produce a series of workshops and events but will also create a lasting artistic legacy that reflects the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Redditch’s communities.