We Did It Together
Lead Artist: Gary Stewart
Partners: Vivid Projects and Birmingham Libraries
We Did It Together is a community-driven creative heritage project that brought together local residents to reflect on Birmingham’s past through the lens of moving image archives from the 1980s–1990s. Delivered by Vivid Projects in partnership with Birmingham Libraries and led by Birmingham-born artist Gary Stewart, the project took place at Handsworth and Northfield Libraries from January to March 2025.
The project invited people to share their memories and explore themes of solidarity, struggle and resilience inspired by Vivid Projects’ historical community media archive. Through a series of nine free digital workshops, participants aged from 26 to over 70 reconnected with their histories using a combination of discussion, personal artefacts, and creative media. Participants brought in photographs, video tapes and personal objects, building a rich and collaborative picture of the city’s past. Younger attendees used the workshops to uncover familial and cultural histories, linking past generations with their own experiences today. The sessions created a welcoming space for open, intergenerational exchange and sharing of stories from different communities.
The project culminated with a public performance held on 7 March at BRIG Café x Vivid Projects in Digbeth, where Gary Stewart performed a live audio-visual mix in response to stories shared by participants. This event attracted a wide ranging audience and was part of the city’s Digbeth First Friday programme.
The workshops reached 24 participants, including five oral history contributors. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with the majority rating their experience as “Very Good.” Participants expressed a strong desire to stay connected and contribute further to the Birmingham Media Archive.
We Did It Together also provided vital resources to under-resourced local libraries, enhancing community access to heritage and digital tools. The project demonstrated the value of authentic, place-based engagement and showcased how creative collaboration can empower individuals to connect with and preserve their own histories.
The research and outcomes from this phase will inform future programming, including a special event, Rewind & Reuse, at Flatpack Festival in May 2025.
Photo credits:
Gary and participant at Handsworth workshop (Yasmeen Baig-Clifford)
Gary and the audience at Vivid Projects x BRIG, Digbeth First Friday (Cathy Wade)