ESOL students at Wiltshire College contribute to exhibition

The ESOL students, from Wiltshire College & University Centre, created the pieces as part of Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex, which explores folk culture across the region and the influence of communities past and present.

Their work will be displayed at Salisbury Museum from February 7 to May 10.

ESOL students working on print blocks, illustrations and letters inspired by their personal stories and folk traditions as part of the Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex exhibition. (Image: Wiltshire College & University Centre)

Michelle Munoz, ESOL lecturer at Wiltshire College & University Centre, said: "It has been a lovely experience, and we are very grateful to Salisbury Museum for including us.

"The team have been so encouraging and creative with the students, giving them the opportunity to create their own stories and try out new skills such as wood carving and print making.

"It has really helped everyone to see a new side of themselves and share their stories and experiences openly with each other.

"It has been a huge community and class effort to create a piece that represents our ESOL students and their cultures, and we are proud to share our stories and see how they form part of the local community."

The museum worked with ESOL students over four months to explore the concept of 'folk' through workshops on music, dance, costume and crafts, drawing on traditions from the UK and the students’ home countries.

ESOL students working on print blocks, illustrations and letters inspired by their personal stories and folk traditions as part of the Un/Common People: Folk Culture in Wessex exhibition. (Image: Wiltshire College & University Centre)

Bridget Telfer, community curator at Salisbury Museum, said: "The artwork the ESOL students created, which reflects their personal stories and culture, will be accessioned into the museum's collection and be preserved for future generations.

"The students learnt new skills and grew in confidence over the period we worked with them and should be very proud of what they have achieved."

The students chose to make illustrated manuscripts, using word and text to tell stories about their lives, and their stories sit at the centre of their artwork, surrounded by prints created using individual wood-carving blocks.

Some of the written and visual elements are presented in students’ first languages alongside English.

The group worked with museum staff and artist-printmaker Hannah Cantellow at the college’s Salisbury campus, learning printmaking techniques and gaining experience in creating artwork for public display.

The exhibition will feature more than 100 objects from across the Wessex region, as well as new films, photography and sound pieces.

It aims to show how folk culture continues to evolve and include new voices and traditions.

The students’ artwork will be accessioned into the museum's collection and be preserved for future generations.