About

Hosted by Sandwell Archives, join local artist Abigail Villarroel for a two hour family-friendly workshop inspired by the Chance Brothers Ltd. archive collection. During the two hour session, Abigail will work with participants to design and create the "Great Exhibition of Sandwell", inspired by the Chance Brothers' 1851 contribution to the Crystal Palace- a landmark of innovation and spectacle.

Participants will create their own characters, inventions, and fantastical figures- inspired by historic fashions, objects from the Exhibition, or entirely from their own imaginations. These may include Victorian party-goers, strange machines, pets, or fantastical creatures from mythology.

By the end of the session, all of these creations will be placed within the Palace drawing, transforming it into a vibrant “Great Exhibition of Sandwell.”

This workshop is funded by The National Archives' 'Archives Revealed' grant.