“We've heard it, we've all heard all about all the sticks and spears and swords, the things to bash and poke and hit with, the long, hard things, but we have not heard about the thing to put things in, the container for the thing contained. That is a new story. That is news.”
Ursula K. Le Guin - The Carrier Bag Theory Of Fiction, Ignota Books
The Coracles of Sharrow - 22 young people went on a 12 month journey to create and activate a new story and artwork grounded in community, heritage craft and storytelling. The coracles are a vessel for the young people to reflect on their experiences, their journeys and stories. The poem that soundtracks the film was written collaboratively by the the group and tells their story and experiences of the journey.
The journey is to become a yearly pilgrimage, an artwork that gets activated every year, building a new ritual for the Sharrow Youth Club & Highfield Adventure Playground adding to the rich history & tapestry of the young people of Sharrow, celebrating culture, identity, exploration & freedom.
The project is documented in film and in a printed book edition of four, with two copies in public collections. One at Highfield Adventure Playground and one at Sheffield Central Library. You can download a digital copy of the book HERE.
The artworks are housed and on public display in the newly built Highfield Adventure Playground building in Sharrow, Sheffield.
The Coracle Makers & Future Makers:
Lujane, Jago, Seren, Shar'day, Hussain, Omer, Omari, Keanu, Ben, Aydin, Alex, Lydia, Yashita, Bella, Georgina, Margot, Sid, Perry, Em, Naria & Lexi
Thank you’s:
All the Sharrow Community Forum staff, Highfield Adventure Playground staff, Sharrow Youth Club, Future Makers, Shared Programme, Studio AW-AR, Rainbow Cafe, Domino’s Pizza, Beewise Travel, Site Gallery, Yorkshire Artspace, Stephen Givnan, Kevin Jones, Sile Sibanda, Bobby Lee, Freya Dooley, Rosie Thompson, Nadia Mehdi, Ashleigh Arnott, Anna Berisin, ASAP Print.
With Special Thanks to:
Kevin and Nathan Grimley for teaching me how to make a traditional Ironbridge Coracle.
Lucy Halstead, Stacey Sampson, Peter Martin, Fergus Charmichael, Owen Richards, Alexandra Watson, Pennine Sailing Club, the Coracle Makers and Future Makers and their families.This project would not have been possible without your patience, dedication, energy, support and love.
Book Credits:
Stills photography by Owen Richards
Stills from The Coracles of Sharrow film by Shared Programme
Book designed by Studio AW-AR
Printed and bound by ASAP Print
Film Credits:
Directed by - Shared Programme
Score and Sound Design - Freya Dooley
Additional Music - Bobby Lee
Spoken Word - Sile Sibanda
Event Day support - Kevin Jones
Event Day support - Stephen Givnan
Performance Facilitator - Stacey Sampson
Project Facilitator - Lucy Halstead
Filmed on location at Sharrow Community Forum, Sheffield and Pennine Sailing Club, Winscar Reservoir, Peak District.
This book and film are dedicated to the incredible young people of Sharrow.
The Coracles of Sharrow was commissioned by Sharrow Community Forum and funded by the Youth Investment Fund with support from Social Investment Business and The Key Fund.
