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
Adam – The Site Manager
Adam The Site Manager Adam Camilleri is a site manager working on the new Roffey Homes Bayside Apartments complex in Worthing. He manages the brickwork façade,
Anthony – The Artist
Anthony The Artist Indian Yellow – an exhibition by artist Anthony Bennett, was set to occupy the vast Main Gallery of Worthing Museum & Art Gallery,
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
Debbie – The Key Worker
Debbie The Key Worker Debbie Olive has been a key worker for 25 years. She works in Tesco Extra in Durrington – the largest supermarket on
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,
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
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
Intensive Care Team – Worthing Hospital
Intensive Care Team Worthing Hospital Gayle is a Senior Sister with Worthing Hospital’s single, Intensive Care team. She is responsible for a unit, ordinarily made up
Zoë – The Teacher
Zoë The Teacher Zoë Yacoub has been a history teacher for 24 years. Like all educators, Zoë and her colleagues at Our Lady of Sion School
George & Ruby – The School Children
Ruby and George The School Children Ruby and her brother George are both at primary school. The Covid-19 pandemic saw children in England collectively miss 575
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
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
The Artists
Anja Poehlmann – The Photographer
Anja Poehlmann The Photographer Anja Poehlmann is a filmmaker and photographer. The Covid-19 pandemic saw Anja’s business as a freelance photographer halted by lockdown regulations. “My
Adam Moffatt-Seaman – The Soundscape Artist
Adam Moffatt-Seaman The Soundscape Artist It has been a year like no other for Adam Moffatt-Seaman. He should have been touring with bands internationally, instead he