In Their Shoes – Tales of Life During Lockdown

Lee - The Tap Dancer © Anja Poehlmann

In Their Shoes – Tales of Life During Lockdown

Like other museums and public buildings, the Museum and Gallery closed its doors in March 2020. Work on exhibitions and research was abruptly halted as curatorial staff were furloughed. As the pathway to reopening was announced work slowly resumed at the museum. To celebrate the reopening of the building and to welcome visitors back we have put together a programme of exciting new exhibitions – one year on – May 2021.

In Their Shoes is a celebration of our local community during the Covid pandemic. The combination of portraits, narrative accounts and a poignant soundscape, captures the experiences of 14 individuals and groups to tell their lockdown stories.

Professionals from the teaching and construction industries, key and front line workers; including refuse operatives, a supermarket cashier and Intensive Care nurses give accounts of not stopping – rather working in extreme and testing conditions during a time of international crisis. The pantomime Dame who wasn’t able to perform, a chef who made meals for charity in the kitchen of a disused restaurant, school children and a clinically vulnerable person – unable to leave her home at all, recount the toll the pandemic has taken on them personally and professionally. Others tell of the joy of engaging with nature for their mental wellbeing, walking on the South Downs or swimming in the sea.

These stories have been brought together by local photographer Anja Poehlmann, sound artist Adam Moffatt-Seaman and WTM Engagement Officer, Vicki Wells, to capture this unique episode in our shared contemporary history.

In Their Shoes images © Anja Poehlmann

The Exhibition

Ross - The Actor © Anja Poehlmann

Ross – The Actor

Ross The Actor Covid-19 cancelled Christmas for millions of theatregoers and imperiled theatres nationally when the panto season was scrapped in 2020. The impact on the

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Stuart – The Chef

Stuart The Chef Stuart Slevin is the Executive chef at The Fish Factory, a popular seafood restaurant in Worthing. During the course of the Covid-19 pandemic,

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Lee - The Tap Dancer © Anja Poehlmann

Lee – The Tap Dancer

Lee The Tap Dancer Like all performers, Lee Payne’s working life was suspended in March 2020 by the Covid-19 pandemic. The abrupt cessation of performances was

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The Sea Sploshers © Anja Poehlmann

The Sea Sploshers

The Sea Sploshers Worthing’s ideal location, set between the South Downs and the coast, allowed brief respite from the longevity of lockdowns, furlough, unemployment and the

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Annette - The Musician © Anja Poehlmann

Annette – The Musician

Annette The Musician Annette Williamson has played cello for Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra for 26 years. Like many WPO members, Annette also teaches music. Pre-pandemic, she ran

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Adele - Shielding © Anja Poehlmann

Adele – Shielding

Adele Shielding Adele is 28 years old and classed as ‘clinically vulnerable’. Like all people with learning disabilities, Adele was identified as having a ‘higher risk

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The Artists

Worthing Theatres and Museum is a registered charity, and we are committed to providing you with quality art and culture. For information on how you can support us as your local arts charity, such as donating or buying a membership, please click here.

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