DearTomorrow hopes to immerse Wolverhampton residents and visitors in a climate engagement project by introducing them to letters from across the world, displayed through a three-metre globe installation and soundscape at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Carefully chosen from the DearTomorrow archive, the letters are addressed to a loved one in the future, and the exhibition physically invites the audience to experience the writers’ hopes, fears, and thoughts on how to create a safer and healthier world for them.
Visitors to the exhibition will also be able to take part by telling their own story, through leaving a message with their reflections, visions for the future, and ideas of climate actions they feel are important to take now.
City of Wolverhampton Council Director of Communications and Visitor Experience, Ian Fegan, said: “Climate change is a high priority for Wolverhampton as we move forward to becoming a greener city and meeting the council’s aim to be net carbon-neutral by 2028.
“It is an honour that Wolverhampton has been chosen as the first location in the UK to host DearTomorrow as our younger generation have told us that climate change is the single biggest issue for them.
“We look forward to reading the messages you leave, to feed into our ideas and plans for a greener city. We want to show that our city listens, learns and acts.”
DearTomorrow co-founder, Jill Kubit, added: “We hope you enjoy discovering and find inspiration in this installation. But equally we look forward to hearing your stories and ideas for a safer planet. Climate change is happening right now – all around us and we want to know what that feels like for you.”
This on-going project will be hosted at the city centre gallery in Lichfield Street from Wednesday, April 13, feeding into a community-led exhibition in the autumn.
Over the last six years DearTomorrow has compelled thousands of people to write letters about their connections to the climate crisis and make commitments to take bold climate action. Founded in the US, the award-winning climate project is now recognised globally.
The exhibition will run until Sunday, May 8, 2022. It is free and can be seen Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4.30pm) and Sundays (11am to 4pm).
DearTomorrow is working with local partner organisations to offer public programmes throughout the community over the coming months. These programmes will feed into the DearTomorrow community-led exhibition, running alongside Wildlife Photographer of the Year later in the year. More information on the project can be found at www.deartomorrow.org.
While visiting the gallery why not take the opportunity to visit the new eating space, Glaze, where the new menu features everything from a full English breakfast, homemade soup of the day, a variety of sandwiches and jacket potatoes (both with different fillings), to our Fairtrade coffees, new loose-leaf teas and delicious handmade cakes.
