Our Freedom: Then and Now was a UK‑wide, locally led arts and creative programme that produced new work reflecting on what ‘Our Freedom’ meant to local people and their communities, following the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day in 2025.
Queen’s Hall Arts worked with the community linked to RAF Spadeadam, a military base on the Northumberland and Cumbria border. Creative Producer and Multimedia Participatory Artist Emma Tominey was commissioned to deliver a series of workshops, using the poem Freedom Road by Simon Armitage as a starting point and inviting people to explore what freedom meant to them.
Over four months, Emma Tominey worked with more than 120 participants from cadet groups, service personnel and their families, and veterans connected to RAF Spadeadam. Simon Armitage’s poem sparked conversations about what freedom means today, and participants reflected on their own experiences and thoughts about freedom, identity and belonging. They were asked to consider what freedom looks, sounds, smells and tastes like, and to create collages to express their ideas.
The final artwork, Freedom: Reframed, grew from those workshops. Shaped by Emma and informed by the military base’s location and the experiences of those who live, work or are connected to it, the piece honoured personal and shared histories through a contemporary lens.
Freedom: Reframed was launched at a celebratory event at Queen’s Hall in November 2025. The event was attended by workshop participants and their families, members of the public and representatives of RAF Spadeadam. Attendees were able to view new Augmented Reality artworks created by Emma and based on the ideas and words of the participants.
From January – February 2026, Queen’s Hall Arts staged an exhibition in its two main gallery spaces, showcasing Freedom: Reframed alongside films and information about the project. Visitors were invited to download a free app to unlock the AR elements of the artworks and view the animations. Free postcards of each of the six artworks were also available to take home.
Air cadet groups from the Hexham and Newcastle Airport Squadrons were invited to a private view, giving them the opportunity to see the work they had contributed to and to meet one another.
Being part of the Our Freedom: Then and Now programme offered Queen’s Hall Arts an important opportunity to connect with a new community, build relationships and work collaboratively. The first visit to RAF Spadeadam provided insight into a significant part of Northumberland’s and the UK’s military history during the Cold War. The project reinforced the value of spending time talking, listening and learning from one another when working with new groups. It also established an exciting and trusting relationship with the RAF community, with hopes for future collaboration.
“Personally, participating in this project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. One of the key things I gained was valuable knowledge and a deeper understanding of art and Queen’s Hall and how they, and similar organisations, bring an idea to fruition.
Now having more first-hand experience on the process – from an initial email enquiry, to a phone conversation, a visit to Royal Air Force Spadeadam, a recruitment process and interview to find an amazing artist, Spadeadam Families Day, Visit to Air Training Corp, Carlisle United Football Club, Launch Event!!!!
– the project allowed me to expand my network as the Station Community Support Officer, connecting with individuals who shared their expertise and insights. These interactions were not only inspiring but also provided opportunities for future collaboration and learning.” – RAF Spadeadam Community Support Officer
View more on the venue's website