We invite you to see ‘Where are you from originally?’, an exhibition exploring race, identity, belonging and heritage.

Opening: Friday 3rd April 2026
Last date to view : Sunday 31st May 2026

‘Where are you from originally?’ takes its title from a question that is often framed as casual curiosity, yet carries the weight of assumption, belonging, and exclusion.

For many, it is a question that refuses a simple answer. The artists in this exhibition respond not by offering fixed origins, but by revealing identity as layered, shifting, and deeply personal. Here, identity is explored through race, religion, language, memory, and lived experience. Some artists draw on ancestral histories and inherited traditions; others examine migration and the spaces between cultures. Heritage appears not as a single point of origin, but as something negotiated, shaped by family stories, faith practices, and colonial histories.

‘Where are you from originally?’ invites viewers to reflect on how questions of origin are asked, and who is expected to answer them. Who gets to belong without explanation, and who is repeatedly asked to justify their presence? Through textiles, sculpture, photography, moving image, and painting, the artists explore their relationship to this question and its significance to their own identities. 

Curator Domino Panton-Oakley assembles Yorkshire-based artists of mixed global identities, all of which use identity as a theme in their work. Featuring Penny Moe, Saira Baig, and including newly commissioned and never-before-seen work by Shaun Connell, Saba Siddiqui and Hijab Zainab, rather than resolving the question “where are you from originally?”, the artists ask us to listen more closely, to sit with complexity, and to recognise that identity is not a destination but an ongoing process. 

Please also take with you a ‘Where are you from originally?’ zine, developed by artist and facilitator Mussarat Rahman, and designed by Kelvin Chan. The zine includes responses from those who have experienced this question, had their identity questioned, or questioned their own identity. It includes honest responses to the questions and offers new insights into the exploration of identity.

Plenty at the Square
Running: Friday 3rd April 2026 February – 24th May 2026

Caroline is an artist based in Bingley known for her captivating detailed drawings of local townscapes.

Inspired by her surroundings, she is drawn to, and loves to draw, the unique architecture and landmarks that shape the places around her. She likes to capture the contrast between old and new buildings that tell a story about a town’s history and its current day life.

Before beginning a drawing Caroline visits each place and takes her own photographs, this way she can identify key features and get close ups or different angles of anything that interests her. Then using these images as reference she drafts each composition in pencil before filling in the details freehand in black pen to form her unique townscapes.

Exploring this style she has built up a collection of drawings featuring towns across Bradford and Yorkshire. 

See more of her work at:

carolinerilatt.co.uk

@carolinerilattart

We invite you to see ‘Where are you from originally?’, an exhibition exploring race, identity, belonging and heritage.

Opening: Friday 3rd April 2026
Last date to view : Sunday 31st May 2026

‘Where are you from originally?’ takes its title from a question that is often framed as casual curiosity, yet carries the weight of assumption, belonging, and exclusion.

For many, it is a question that refuses a simple answer. The artists in this exhibition respond not by offering fixed origins, but by revealing identity as layered, shifting, and deeply personal. Here, identity is explored through race, religion, language, memory, and lived experience. Some artists draw on ancestral histories and inherited traditions; others examine migration and the spaces between cultures. Heritage appears not as a single point of origin, but as something negotiated, shaped by family stories, faith practices, and colonial histories.

‘Where are you from originally?’ invites viewers to reflect on how questions of origin are asked, and who is expected to answer them. Who gets to belong without explanation, and who is repeatedly asked to justify their presence? Through textiles, sculpture, photography, moving image, and painting, the artists explore their relationship to this question and its significance to their own identities. 

Curator Domino Panton-Oakley assembles Yorkshire-based artists of mixed global identities, all of which use identity as a theme in their work. Featuring Penny Moe, Saira Baig, and including newly commissioned and never-before-seen work by Shaun Connell, Saba Siddiqui and Hijab Zainab, rather than resolving the question “where are you from originally?”, the artists ask us to listen more closely, to sit with complexity, and to recognise that identity is not a destination but an ongoing process. 

Please also take with you a ‘Where are you from originally?’ zine, developed by artist and facilitator Mussarat Rahman, and designed by Kelvin Chan. The zine includes responses from those who have experienced this question, had their identity questioned, or questioned their own identity. It includes honest responses to the questions and offers new insights into the exploration of identity.

Plenty at the Square
Running: Friday 3rd April 2026 February – 24th May 2026

Caroline is an artist based in Bingley known for her captivating detailed drawings of local townscapes.

Inspired by her surroundings, she is drawn to, and loves to draw, the unique architecture and landmarks that shape the places around her. She likes to capture the contrast between old and new buildings that tell a story about a town’s history and its current day life.

Before beginning a drawing Caroline visits each place and takes her own photographs, this way she can identify key features and get close ups or different angles of anything that interests her. Then using these images as reference she drafts each composition in pencil before filling in the details freehand in black pen to form her unique townscapes.

Exploring this style she has built up a collection of drawings featuring towns across Bradford and Yorkshire. 

See more of her work at:

carolinerilatt.co.uk

@carolinerilattart

Ryall Hill’s debut short story collection

• Friday 8th May 7.30-9pm

Join us for the launch of Ryall Hill’s debut short story collection – ‘Bradford District Lines’.

Ryall Hill is an economic migrant to Bradford from London via Norfolk. He was inspired to write for the first time since school on a course by Michael Stewart of the Bronte Writing Centre in 2017. His short stories, ‘Losing Control’ and ‘The Collapse’, were published in collections by Grist, an imprint of Huddersfield University Press. Another, ‘Holding Back’, was published in, ‘Blooming Under Bradford Skies’, by David Ben Eke.
Inspired by the announcement that Bradford had won its bid for City of Culture 2025, Ryall wrote a short story for each of its 24 postal districts. He shared one story online each fortnight throughout 2025. These are presented together for the first time in hard copy as, ‘Bradford District Lines’.

Ryall will be supported by Bill Broady, reading excerpts from some of his Bradford-set stories in “In This Block There Lives A Slag” and a new, as yet untitled, selection.

‘Bradford District Lines’ is the first publication by Ings Press – a new publishing imprint founded by Mike Farren. Mike, also of Yaffle Press, aims to provide an outlet for the best poetry, literary fiction and creative non-fiction, with a strong focus on providing the best experience for author and reader alike. ‘Bradford District Lines’ is a wonderful collection that Ings Press is proud to publish. Watch out for more titles coming soon. https://www.ingspress.com/

Solo exhibition of paintings by John Allcock

• Running: Saturday 9th May – Friday 30th May 2026
• The Gallery Upstairs  

Compelled by bad weather to take a break from a climbing trip in northern Spain, John
Allcock came across a group of ancient hermitages in the hills above Potes. Fascinated by
the idea of the hermit’s withdrawal from the secular world, he gathered reference material
which became a series of paintings on his return to the UK. The result is this series of
fourteen images in mixed media.

Saturday 9th May 2026
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Explore the art of traditional glass painting in this workshop led by South Square Studio holder, Samantha Yates

This hands on workshop running from 1-4pm introduces the techniques of traditional glass painting used in medieval and historic stained glass. Participants will explore tracing, matting and shading with vitreous paint working directly onto glass.

Work can be fired in the kiln and collection/postage arranged for a later date. The focus is on the process and material understanding giving you the opportunity to develop confidence through making.

Suitable for beginners. All materials and equipment provided . Please note access to the studio is down a flight of steps.

To book your space, click here

Tuesday 26th May 2026, 10:30am – 12:30pm

FREE Kids Craft Drop-In invites you to come and play and get crafty!

We will set up a craft table full of paper, pencils, scissors, glue, cardboard, strings and more, all for you to build, make and create, and let your imagination run wild!

This is a great way for kids to take some time to play and make. And for the adults? Want a coffee whilst the kids are crafting? No problem! You can grab a cake and coffee from the onsite cafe, Plenty at the Square, which you can have served in the Community Room.

All materials are free. Suitable for all ages.

South Square is a charity, so a suggested donation of £3 helps us continue to offer free events and workshops like this.

Please note – a guardian / adult should be with the children at all times.

Book your free place here

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Thursday 28th May
11am – 12:30pm – £16 per ticket

Join local artist Jess Swift in this fun, hands-on workshop where children will create their own air-dry clay portraits inspired by the exhibition “Where are you from originally?”

Using clay, children will design and build their own portrait plaques, adding features, symbols, patterns, and textures that represent who they are. This might include:

• Favourite activities or hobbies
• Cultural patterns or family traditions
• Words, shapes, or objects that feel important to them

We will begin the workshop by having a look around the exhibition, getting inspiration from some of the works. We will then create our own portrait which can be then taken home and decorated at home once dry.

Please come in clothes you don’t mind getting messy!

*Please note – the air dry clay we will be using has nylon fibres inside*

Click here to book – £16 per ticket

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

Thursday 28th May
6pm – 9pm – £25 per ticket

Join local artist Jess Swift for a relaxed, hands-on workshop exploring the art of pinch potting using air-dry clay.

In this friendly, sociable pottery session, you’ll learn simple techniques to shape and form your own unique vases by hand. Starting with the basics, Jess will guide you through the process of turning a lump of clay into your own handmade vase!

You will take home your creations at the end of the workshop to dry at home, and you can either leave them plain or decorate them!

No experience needed, just come in clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy!

*Please note – the air dry clay we will be using has nylon fibres inside*

*Also note – Since we are using air dry clay, these vases will be decorative or home plastic plants only*

We are offering 3 clay workshops all covering different techniques, book one, two or all three! Find more information about the other workshops on our website.

Click here to book now!

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

• Friday 5th June, 4pm – 6pm
• Community Room

Come down for the highly awaited Year 10 Art show at Beckfoot Thornton school!

Students from year 10 art classes at Beckfoot Thornton have been working on a variety of different projects this year.

For this show, students have expressed themselves through three different themes; Recyclable, Abstract, and Monument.

With the chance to do anything desired to respond to chosen themes, students have created work in a variety of ways. Please explore our sculptures, paintings and many more.

Please feel free to sign the visitors book to let us know what you think!

• Friday 5th June, 6pm – 9pm

Join us for the launch of the South Square Centre Collage Club Exhibition!

South Square Collage Club emerged from an online collage workshop during a socially restricted Covid period in May 2021 for World Collage Day. People  all over the world joined in supported by remote hosts in South Square Centre and Exeter.. The local participants decided to continue in person once that was possible. Four years later there’s a lively  evolving group who gather monthly in South Square Centre on a Saturday morning. The participants include people who are new to making art and people who have spent their lives creating. There’s usually a theme linked to our interests but following it is entirely optional. There’s a big selection of resources and a huge welcome to all.

This exhibition at Plenty of the Square includes a wonderful mix of the work the club have been creating over the past few weeks.

Last dater to view is Sunday 12th July.

Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th June 2026

More details to be shared soon!

Thursday 25th June
6pm – 8pm – £25 a ticket

Join local artist Jess Swift as she guides you through the technique of coil building with air dry clay.

In this pottery session, Jess will show you how to create your own decorative bowl or planter using simple coiling techniques. Building up your form layer by layer, you’ll learn how to shape, refine, and personalise your piece, infusing it with your own choice of shapes, patterns, and textures.

You will take home your creations at the end of the workshop to dry at home, and you can either leave them plain or decorate them!

No experience needed, just come in clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy!

*Please note – the air dry clay we will be using has nylon fibres inside*

*Also note – Since we are using air dry clay, the bowls or planters will be decorative or home plastic plants only*

We are offering three different workshops, all exploring different clay techniques. Find more information about the other workshops on our website.

Click here to book!

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!

• Friday 5th June, 4pm – 6pm
• Community Room

Come down for the highly awaited Year 10 Art show at Beckfoot Thornton school!

Students from year 10 art classes at Beckfoot Thornton have been working on a variety of different projects this year.

For this show, students have expressed themselves through three different themes; Recyclable, Abstract, and Monument.

With the chance to do anything desired to respond to chosen themes, students have created work in a variety of ways. Please explore our sculptures, paintings and many more.

Please feel free to sign the visitors book to let us know what you think!

• Friday 5th June, 6pm – 9pm

Join us for the launch of the South Square Centre Collage Club Exhibition!

South Square Collage Club emerged from an online collage workshop during a socially restricted Covid period in May 2021 for World Collage Day. People  all over the world joined in supported by remote hosts in South Square Centre and Exeter.. The local participants decided to continue in person once that was possible. Four years later there’s a lively  evolving group who gather monthly in South Square Centre on a Saturday morning. The participants include people who are new to making art and people who have spent their lives creating. There’s usually a theme linked to our interests but following it is entirely optional. There’s a big selection of resources and a huge welcome to all.

This exhibition at Plenty of the Square includes a wonderful mix of the work the club have been creating over the past few weeks.

Last dater to view is Sunday 12th July.

Wednesday 15th July 2026
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Explore the art of traditional glass painting in this workshop led by South Square Studio holder, Samantha Yates

This hands on workshop running from 1-4pm introduces the techniques of traditional glass painting used in medieval and historic stained glass. Participants will explore tracing, matting and shading with vitreous paint working directly onto glass.

Work can be fired in the kiln and collection/postage arranged for a later date. The focus is on the process and material understanding giving you the opportunity to develop confidence through making.

Suitable for beginners. All materials and equipment provided . Please note access to the studio is down a flight of steps.

To book your space, click here

Thursday 23th July 2026
6pm – 8pm – £25 a ticket

Join local artist Jess Swift in this pottery and sip session. Spend the evening  learning the basics of slab building with clay. You’ll roll out clay, cut shapes, and piece them together to create your own wall hanging.

Once the form is made, you will then create decorations using previously learnt pottery building techniques. The freedom is yours to create your own decorations, with Jess on hand to advise and help.

You will take home your creations at the end of the workshop to dry at home, and you can either leave them plain or decorate them at home!

No experience needed, just come in clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy!

*Please note – the air dry clay we will be using has nylon fibres inside*

*Also note – Since we are using air dry clay, these vases will be decorative or home plastic plants only*

We are offering three different workshops, all exploring different clay techniques. Find more information about the other workshops on our website.

Click here to book!

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Accessibility:

The session will be in the community room, this is on the first floor. If anyone needs step free access we have a stair lift that can be used. Chairs will also be provided for anyone that would prefer to be seated during the session.

Location and access:

The session will be held in the upstairs community room at South Square Centre, Thornton Road, BD13 3LS.

A chairlift is accessible to the Community Room.

The centre can be accessed easily via public transport. There is free on street parking around the centre. There is an on-site vegetarian café, Plenty, where refreshments and lunch can be purchased.

Contact

Any questions please call South Square on 01274 834737 or email us at [email protected] , we will be happy to help you!