Grants secured for workshops inspired by Cornwallis Cloth exhibition

The 20-minute film, produced by Sweet Patootee Arts as part of the Imperial War Museum 14-18 NOW Legacy Fund, was inspired by oral testimony and the untold stories of British Caribbean lives during the Second World War. Specifically, it sheds light upon the 1942 U-boat attacks on the British merchant ship SS Cornwallis, and the story of ‘Cornwallis cloth’ – high-quality fabric destined for an expensive, White-owned department store in Bridgetown – salvaged and appropriated from its wreck by local residents.

Artists and art educators will lead creative workshops in local schools, community spaces and onsite at the Old Royal Naval College, for residents of Greenwich and surrounding boroughs, in particular elders and young people of Caribbean heritage, with people of all backgrounds very welcome. Inspired by the film, participants will work with fabric, exploring themes of civil rights, resistance, patriotism and freedom,

The Old Royal Naval College will also be running two free public events onsite in the Clore Learning Centre, an opportunity to explore the history and themes of the film and exhibition through activities and a conversation with Sweet Patootee Arts.

The creative workshops series and the poetry night is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The Cornwallis Cloth in-depth event is funded by the Royal Borough of Greenwich for Create.

The exhibition is open daily; tickets can be booked as part of a Painted Hall ticket or walk-ups welcome for Discover Greenwich tickets available from the Visitor Centre.