Living Portraits
Overview
Living Portraits is an intergenerational multimedia initiative produced in collaboration with Hat Fair's Celebrating Age programme (2017–2018). It comprises 16 short digital films that spotlight the lives of older residents in Winchester and Corby.
Objectives & approach
Celebrate lived experience
Participants shared personal stories, which became the foundation of each digital portrait, capturing their home environments and formative moments.
Foster intergenerational learning
Students from Winchester School of Art, St Swithun's School, and home‑school settings collaborated with professional filmmakers, theatre practitioners, historians, and older participants through a series of workshops.
Public exhibition
The films debuted at prominent community events — Woolly Hat Fair 2017, Hat Fair 2018, and Grow Festival 2018 supported by a network of local partners across Winchester and Corby.
Funding & partners
Funded by Arts Council England and the Baring Foundation's Celebrating Age grant, the project involved partners like Age Concern Hampshire, Winchester Live At Home Scheme, Corby Borough Council, Hampshire Records Office, and others.
Social impact
1. Social inclusion and representation
By giving older adults a creative voice, the project counters ageism and promotes inclusive storytelling that celebrates their contributions and varied life journeys.
2. Intergenerational connection
Collaborative workshops forged meaningful bonds between young participants and older individuals, fostering empathy, mutual understanding, and respect across generations.
3. Skills development and empowerment
Both groups gained practical skills in filmmaking, storytelling, and creative expression. Older participants found new modes of self‑expression, while students acquired hands‑on, real‑world experience.
4. Community cohesion and awareness
Showcasing the films at public festivals amplified visibility for older residents and ignited community discussions about ageing, heritage, and shared narratives — helping to bridge generational divides and foster communal pride.
5. Cultural and historical value
The project created a digital archive that captures personal and local histories. Their stories now stand as enduring testaments to regional identity and collective memory.
Conclusion
Living Portraits successfully melds creative arts, personal storytelling, and youth engagement to honour older generations. It not only celebrates individual legacies but also builds stronger, more connected communities – challenging stereotypes, inspiring empathy, and fostering lifelong learning.
Originally exhibited as part of Woolly Hat Fair 2017, Hat Fair 2018 and Grow Festival 2018.
This intergenerational multimedia art project was originally produced for Hat Fair's Celebrating Age project – a two year programme of arts activity for, with and about older people.
Celebrating Age project
Hat Fair's Celebrating Age featured three distinct projects:
- Four Score Years and Ten (Tour) - A play inspired by the lives of Winchester’s 90-year-olds, specially commissioned to mark the Queen’s 90th birthday year.
- Living Portraits - 16 short films celebrating the lives of older residents in Winchester and Corby.
- Recycled Silent Movie - Recycled footage from local archives and stories from participants will be combined to make into a 20 minute film.
All three Celebrating Age projects explore the realities of life as an older person in the UK and celebrate positive images of older people through theatre and film.
Special thanks to our local partners St John's Winchester for hosting the showcase event in Winchester and to the team at Grow Festival for hosting the showcase event in Corby.
We would also like to thank everyone who collaborated in this project including SDNA, Flintlock Theatre, Dan Murphy, Hampshire Records Office, Corby Borough Council Collection, Brendoncare, Winchester Live At Home Scheme, Age Concern Hampshire, The Core, Corby and Made In Corby for their support.
The Celebrating Age project is funded by the Arts Council England and Baring Foundation Celebrating Age grant.
