Between The Lines
Between the Lines was a programme authored by Fat Lady Opera and MESS ROOM CIC that uses multi-disciplinary art practice to animate libraries, cultivating them as spaces for shared imagination, warmth and wonder
Between the Lines - Chatham was led by Artists Wendy Daws, Clare Foster and Tania Holland Williams and supported by emerging Artist Matilda Flood.
Over a period of six months from October 2022 to March 2023, three artists worked with 29 community participants to create a multi-media exhibition that explored our relationship with the written word, paper, book design and the notion of the quiet space. The lead Artists introduced participants to a range of new creative media and skills including embossing; photography; mark making; song-writing and poetry.
Our Mission
Between The Lines - working with libraries, museums and heritage spaces to animate and illuminate collections and to cultivate spaces of shared wonder and refuge.
Between the Lines ambition:
- promote mental health well-being
- reduce social isolation
- encourage new friendships
- build confidence
- increase access to the Arts
- improve concentration
- enhance mood
- develop collaborative skills
- support life-long learning
- connect people to their community resources
- enable and invigorate the imagination
“This is something I have not done before but would definitely do again.”Between The Lines Participant
Exhibition
The Between The Lines exhibition embraced the disciplines of music, sculpture, poetry and photography. Artists Wendy Daws, Clare Foster and Tania Holland Williams, supported by emerging artist Matilda Flood, worked with Medway Libraries and local people to co-create three works that celebrate Chatham Library as a place of wonder and refuge. Participants cited their pleasure in re-finding the magic of their local library and their sense of belonging in the group.
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“Between The Lines has been a place to recollect my thoughts, relax and meet new friends. To discover hidden talents and create new memories.”Valerie | Between The Lines Participant
“There's not a lot out there for my age group so this is a great opportunity to try something completely different, not like the usual coffee mornings.Between The Lines Participant
“Being led through the steps helped. Yes, it was really good. I'm looking forward to more.”Between The Lines Participant
“The whole thing has been so fabulous.”Between The Lines Participant
Who Benefitted
Participants came from across Medway to take part.
Ages ranged from 17 years to 82. However the majority were aged 65+ years.
63% evaluation respondents indicated a long term health condition.
The group included people with visual impairment, people with hearing impairment; people with mobility impairment and people with chronic long-term health challenges - both physical and mental.
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Sound Piece
Accompanying the exhibition was a sound piece with words by the participants.
The sound piece is based on 4 Haiku:
the Big Bang of Time
Tatty Dog-Eared Books
Autumn Enters Us
The Rainmaker
The piece lasts around six minutes.
