A city-wide installation sharing the words of Lincoln’s children and young people
10th July - 4th September 2021
Frustrated by being locked down, isolated and unheard, the words of children and young people have been unleashed across the city.
In March 2021, Zest Theatre led 34 workshops with over 800 young people aged 9 – 21 across Lincoln. Zest created a space for young people to reflect on the last year, cultivating over 600 quotes about any and everything – from daily life to the big questions of the universe.
Later that summer, their words have been turned into 80 vibrant artworks, ready to be found on posters, windows, banners and billboards in every corner of the city centre.
Refresh Lincoln placed the voices of young people at the heart of the city’s recovery, bringing colour and conversation to this place they call home!
#RefreshLincoln
Podcast
This podcast has been written and created by Brigitte Aphrodite as part of a series to celebrate the Here And Now Project. Part documentary, part artistic response to Refresh, this podcast captures the essence of this colourful project and reflects on on its impact.
Locations & Themes
Brayford Waterfront
Age / Hope / Mind / Society / Relationships
England’s oldest inland harbour is now Lincoln’s centre of hospitality. Between the bars, restaurants, and hotels, words on lamp posts asked you to see the world from the perspective of the young. Humorous, heart breaking, and honest.
St Marks Shopping Centre
Climate
Next to the St Marks Garden stood windows covered in the growing climate concerns of Lincoln’s youngest citizens - an urgent call to action.
Cornhill Quarter
Lincoln / Community
Starting at Lincoln Transport Hub, Lincoln’s citizens could take a walk through the Cornhill Quarter and on to City Square. Along the way they could discover quotes about what makes Lincoln unique and why communities matter.
Silver Street
Curiosity
When you’re young you’re always curious. But can that curiosity change the world?
Broadgate
Community
Whilst you were stuck in the Broadgate traffic, commuters could take a moment to reflect on how we could work together as a community. Bold words on huge billboards are hard to miss!
Upper High Street
Community
As you wandered to the top of the High Street, Lincolnites could look up and consider what community meant to them. There’s was even more to consider when you walk back down.
Steep Hill and Uphill
Wisdom
From The Collection at the bottom of Steep Hill, through to the end of Bailgate and beyond, posters in shop windows (and doors) shared the wise words of Lincoln’s 9 to 21 year olds, whilst 600m of bunting above you brought youthful energy to historic Lincoln.
Lincoln Castle
Questions
Entering through the gates and following the entire curve of the castle walls you could ponder the big questions facing humanity.
Audio Experience
Listen to the real words of real young people and experience Lincoln in a whole new way.
The Refresh Lincoln Audio Experience fuses the voices of young people with an original score, using sounds recorded around Lincoln to bring the quotes to life. Now, everyone can be a part of Refresh Lincoln wherever you are in the world.
🎧 Put on your headphones
▶️ Press Play
👂 Listen
Gallery
All 80 Refresh lincoln quotes - each one unique
Credits
Creative & Production
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Toby Ealden
PRODUCER
Catherine Fowles
DESIGN
Fabric.
PRODUCTION MANAGER
Joe Price
PHOTO CREDIT
Nickaarc Fine Art Photography
Research & Development
LEAD WORKSHOP FACILITATOR
Nyasha Gudo
R&D COORDINATOR
Jenny Daniels
WORKSHOP FACILITATORS
Jessica Gomez-Ejimbe
Robert Hart
Lachlan Madin
Cas Potterton
WORKSHOP ADMINISTRATOR
Georgina Weller
Audio Experience
YOUNGER VOICES
Year 5T Bishop King C of E Primary School
Class 6B St Faith & St Martin C of E Junior School
OLDER VOICES
Jessica Gomez-Ejimbe
Robert Hart
PRESENTER
Lachlan Madin
DRAMATISED BY
Tom Rackham
Catherine Fowles
Toby Ealden
LOCATION SOUND RECORDIST
Joe Price
ORIGINAL MUSIC AND SOUND DESIGN
Tom Rackham
Refresh Advisory Groups
Class 5T Bishop King C of E Primary School
Class 6B St Faith & Saint Martin C of E Junior School
Participating Schools
Bishop King C of E Primary School
Ermine Primary Academy
Lincoln College
Sir Francis Hill Community Primary School
St Faith & Saint Martin C of E Junior School
St Giles Academy
The Priory Academy LSST
The Priory City of Lincoln Academy
The Priory Witham Primary Academy
The Priory Witham Secondary Academy
Special Thanks
200 Degrees
Stokes Cafe at The Lawn
Lindum Books
Commissioned by Here And Now
Here And Now is a project that examines communities’ hopes and dreams, aspirations and fears. Many of the participant centres are looking at the role of the arts centre in a community, as a hub, as a space for expression and as an arena for discussion and reflection. The project will also show the impact of the National Lottery on community life and arts. Forty arts centres across England are commissioning new works that tell the stories of their communities. Nationwide, Associate Artists will tell the national story of the project through film, audio and new writing: the national commission will have a strong digital/online aspect, meaning it is available to people across the UK and beyond.
