Feelings from the Fells

This project was an exciting collaboration between Young Woman UP, Beacon Hill school, Dreamscheme, Emily Ford and Tullie Museum.

We collaborated with 50 young girls to create a unique soundscape for the Sheila Fell exhibition.

The project began with an introduction to Sheila Fell’s artwork and her connection to Aspatria – sparking conversations about place, identity, and growing up in Cumbria as young women.

Through experimental mark-making and poetry workshops, the pupils generated stories, poems, and words reflecting their own experiences which were then recorded.

After some additional noise and music-making sessions with Young Woman UP group and the Dreamscheme youth club – the words and music were combined to produce a soundscape for the Sheila Fell exhibition at Tullie.

The project worked on multiple levels: it offered participants an engaging introduction to Fell’s work, provided a platform for them to explore and express their own voices, and supported creative confidence and collaboration. The partnership with Woman UP was crucial in creating a supportive, empowering environment where the girls could feel inspired, take creative risks, and see their contributions reflected in a public exhibition.

The result is a vibrant, multi-layered soundscape that celebrates young women’s perspectives while connecting them to local artistic heritage.

The project ended with a series of listening parties where the participants were invited to see the exhibition and listen to their creation inside the space.

To listen to the soundscape click here.

For some extra ‘Noise for Sheila’ click here.

‘It was so wonderful to meet such a vibrant, creative and inspirational bunch of people – I really hope that we can combine forces again. Thanks for thinking of Beacon Hill and reaching out – it means a lot for a small school to be chosen for something like this: something that proves to the girls that incredible things do come from and can come from where they live!

You are wonderful human beings and I can’t wait for our next collaboration! We’re gonna change the world!’

Quote – Mrs Graham from Beacon Hill school

Quotes from participants:

‘Thank you so much for today! You all slayed really hard!’

‘I really enjoyed visiting Tullie. I learned so much about Sheila Fell and who she is’

‘I will cherish this memory, thanks again.’

‘To Lins, Emily, Millie and Sam. QUEENS. Thank you for everything, you slayed so hard!’

‘Thank you for the opportunity, we loved every moment’

‘Thank you for everything you have done for us. We are very grateful and we have had a really great time. It was amazing. We really enjoyed working and spending time with you. It slayed so hard’