Botanical Young Women of Hounslow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrating Heritage Through Creativity and Connection

Our exciting new project, Botanical Young Women of Hounslow, invites young people and families to explore and celebrate the borough’s rich horticultural heritage through the lives of two extraordinary young women: Marina Dellap, an enslaved African-Jamaican runaway, and Catharine MacCartney, an Indian servant, who was brought to Hounslow in the eighteenth century.

Thanks to the generous support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, and Heathrow Community Trust, this project offers an inspiring programme of life writing and arts activities designed to engage the entire Hounslow community.

 

[icon name=”podcast” style=”solid” class=”” unprefixed_class=””]  Listen to our podcast about the exhibition

 

Bringing Heritage to Life

Through workshops and creative exploration, young people will uncover the untold stories of Marina and Catharine, connecting their lives to Hounslow’s long-standing horticultural legacy.

Leading Artists and Heritage Practitioners

We have a range of exciting workshops delivered by award-winning artists:

• Jaixia
  Jaixia is a storyteller across music, poetry, and textile art. She is also a singer and composer. Jaixia will be facilitating textile workshops, using flowers and plants to create and decorate evocative textiles. Learn new skills and have fun creating beautiful interpretations of heritage through art.
• Tihara
  Tihara Smith is a fashion designer, textile artist and founder of a fashion, accessories, and lifestyle brand inspired by the Caribbean. She is passionate about design, the Caribbean and sharing the Windrush story. She creates distinctive pieces that allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean.
• Jacqueline
  Jacqueline is the award-winning author of the novel Fire Rush. She writes stories and novels about women and their connection to their heritage. Jacqueline will lead life-writing workshops, helping participants write stories about Marina and Catharine and make connections to their own lives.
• Nadege
  Nadege is a heritage professional with post-graduate qualifications in Museum Studies, Egyptian Archaeology and Ancient History. She is the lead heritage advisor for the project and is helping young people to access fascinating stories from the archives and building the life stories of Marina and Catharine. Nadege will be helping young people to develop their Youth Archive.

A Feminist Celebration

The project will culminate in the creation of a stunning feminist textile plaque, crafted to honour the lives of Marina and Catharine and celebrate Hounslow’s horticultural and botanical heritage.

Join us in celebrating the power of storytelling, art, and heritage as we shine a light on these remarkable women and the enduring contributions of Hounslow’s diverse communities.

Activities for Everyone

We’re working with Chiswick House & Gardens, Chelsea Physic Garden, Kew Gardens, Hounslow Council’s Culture Team, and many more organisations to bring a range of dynamic activities to inspire creativity and connection while celebrating Hounslow’s rich heritage.

Whether you’re a budding writer, a history lover, an art enthusiast, or someone who loves the outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy:

1. Life Writing Workshops
   Led by award-winning writers, these workshops are open to young people of all ages.
2. Embroidery Workshops
   Learn the art of embroidery using raffia and vibrant Caribbean-inspired styles. Contribute to the creation of our feminist textile plaque.
3. Geo-Caching Adventures
   Join us for exciting geo-caching activities on the forest trail at the beautiful Chiswick House & Gardens, one of our fantastic project partners. Perfect for children and families, this activity combines outdoor exploration with a touch of history.
4. Allotment Community Days
   Be part of our allotment transformation! Help plant flowers and plants similar to those transported on ships during the time Marina and Catharine arrived in Hounslow. A hands-on way to connect with history while nurturing the present.
5. Join Our Youth Ambassadors
   Take a leading role in shaping the project by becoming a Youth Ambassador. Steer its development, support delivery, and ensure that the voices of young people are at its heart.
6. Tours
   Young people will tour their youth archive across the country, visiting cities such as Leicester, Manchester, Sheffield, Margate, and Birmingham. Join us on tour to help spread the word about the Botanical Young Women of Hounslow.

These activities provide the perfect opportunity for young people, families, and the community to learn, create, and connect while celebrating the incredible stories and horticultural heritage of Hounslow.

Sign Up
To sign up for any of the activities, please contact the Project Manager, Bijal Karavadra, at .

OUR STAFF

THE EXHIBITION’S JOURNEY –  IN PICTURES

BOTANICAL WOMEN WORKSHOPS
Preparing for the exhibition. Eco-printing (Flower Pounding) on textiles with Jaixia Blue.