North Lanarkshire Libraries delivered a rich programme for Our Freedom: Then and Now, inviting local residents to explore the legacy of 1945 and reflect on what freedom means today. Through creative writing and visual art workshops led by local artists, the libraries created welcoming spaces for people of all ages to share memories, respond to prompts, and contribute to a community exhibition.

Creative Writing with Antje Bothin

Across two sessions – one held at Motherwell Library and one held at Bellshill Cultural Centre, poet and author Antje Bothin led creative writing and poetry workshops inspired by Freedom Road, the poem by Simon Armitage commissioned for the national project. Participants were invited to reflect on the end of the Second World War, consider how freedom is understood in North Lanarkshire today, and create new pieces of writing that would later contribute to the final exhibition in the Immersive Room at Motherwell Library. Both workshops were interactive, reflective, and open to anyone interested in exploring the theme through words.

Artistic Workshops with John Martin Fulton

Artist John Martin Fulton delivered a series of hands‑on visual art workshops across multiple North Lanarkshire library venues. These sessions – offered on different dates and in different locations – invited participants to explore the theme of freedom through drawing, painting and mixed‑media techniques. Each workshop stood alone, giving new groups the chance to take part, but all contributed to the wider creative response being developed for the Our Freedom: Then and Now project. John’s sessions encouraged experimentation and personal expression, helping participants translate memories, stories and reflections into visual form.

Our Freedom: Then and Now – Community Exhibition

The programme culminated in Our Freedom: Then and Now, a community exhibition bringing together writing and artwork created across the workshops. Hosted in the Immersive Room in Motherwell Library, the exhibition showcased local people’s reflections on 1945, their personal experiences of freedom, and their hopes for the future. The display formed part of North Lanarkshire’s contribution to the UK‑wide commemorations marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War, highlighting the voices, creativity and lived experiences of the community.

 

View more on the venue's website