Join us at a finale event to close the exhibition Dreams and Songs to Sing showcasing talented Gypsy and Traveller writers and story makers, performing their written work in the beautiful gallery surroundings.
We will be joined by writers and poets who will perform in the gallery.
Jo Clement
Author of award-winning poetry collection Outlandish. Find out more here. You can follow her at @_dodo on X and @joclemwriter on Instagram.
Chelsea McDonagh
Senior Researcher, writer & ambassador Chelsea McDonagh will represent the all-women writing group “Write into Culture” founded by Dee Cooper and Lisa Smith (@writeintoculture) on Instagram.
The collective is made up of Gypsy and Traveller women all over the country.
Recent productions include, “Sisters in Solidarity” & Romany nights. Chelsea will be sharing other pieces from Write into Culture group members, as well as recorded versions of other writers works being shared.
Find her on X as @Chelsmacdonn on Twitter.
Violet Cannon
CEO of York Travellers Trust, author of best-selling biography Gypsy Princess will read from the book plus some of her own poetry! Violet is Bradford born and bred, and has dedicated her life to advocating and working for change with and for Gypsy and Traveller communities all over the UK.
Violet’s biography Gypsy Princess is a searingly honest account of what life is really like for Traveller communities, for girls in particular and a breathtaking true story of a Romany childhood.
Bernard Cunningham
Bernard is a peer support worker at Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange passionate about supporting Gypsy and Traveller mental health within his community. Raised living roadside, Bernard’s work encompasses all the beauty of these communities and way of life as well as it’s challenges and struggles.
This event has been organised in collaboration with Leeds Gypsy and Traveller exchange Leeds GATE
Free to attend, but please let us know you are coming by emailing rsvpcartwrighthall@bradford.gov.uk or calling 01274 431212
Cartwright Hall will be closed from 18th August until 27th September for Turner Prize installation. The Refreshment Room cafe will remain open as usual during this time.
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday – Sunday: 11am – 4pm
All Bank Holiday Opening Times: 11:00 – 4:00 except Bolling Hall
All sites closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Good Friday
Cartwright Hall Art Gallery is in the middle of Lister Park, one and a half miles from the City Centre on the A650 Manningham Lane. There is limited parking in Lister Park, accessible from North Park Road (off Oak Lane). Lister Park is served by many city centre bus services including 23, 25, 26, 49, 51, 52, 53, 54, 622, 647, 662, w5. Cartwright Hall is about ten minutes’ uphill walk from Frizinghall railway station.
For help in planning your journey by public transport, please visit www.wymetro.com.
1 May 2025 – 8 October 2025
5 August 2025 – 31 December 2025
3 September 2025 – 22 February 2026
31 October 2025 – 1 March 2026
