The Artwork
Earlier this year, we embarked on an arts & heritage project to shed light on the social history of New Parks. With the support of Historic England, we set out to celebrate the area in a way the neighbourhood could enjoy.
Working together, a group of young people from Herewoode Academy researched their community and created a placemaker. In the form of a tapestry, it now hangs proudly in the New Parks Library, inviting local residents to view it and engage with its story. Take a closer look to see if you recognise any of the spaces and places →
Producing The Puzzle
A significant part of this process was the creation of a jigsaw puzzle, inspired by Culture Day at Herewoode Academy. The young people received prompts, encouraging them to reflect on their feelings and fond memories of the New Parks area. After much discussion and sketching, they eventually painted their designs, forming a large-scale puzzle board that proudly stands in New Parks Library. This piece also inspired the final tapestry produced by artist & community facilitator Bean-Mhi Berriman.
The New Parks community also got involved in creating a mini tapestry. Take a look at what they created ↓
"It was really interesting working in New Parks — especially as it was an area I hadn’t spent much time in. What stood out most was how strong and connected the community is, with so many people volunteering across different spaces. Spending time with the young people was a highlight; they kept us on our toes! It wasn’t always straightforward, but seeing people co-create made it all worth it." – Bean-Mhi Berriman
What We Learned
Through months of collaboration, exploration, and creativity, our project culminated in an exhibition that brought everything together. Local residents, contributors, and passersby joined the young people to experience the artwork first-hand — from listening to interview recordings to viewing the finished tapestry and jigsaw. It was a fully immersive celebration of New Parks’ heritage, where familiar faces, voices, and memories filled the room with pride.