Our Stories and Heritage | Pop Up Exhibition
Monday - Thursday | 6, 7, 8 & 9 April 2026 | 10am - 3.30pm
Show all dates and times
6 April 10.00am – 9 April 3.30pm 2026
Step into Our Stories and Heritage - an interactive pop-up celebrating South Asian heritage in Coventry.
Drop in | Included with Admission
Step into our vibrant pop-up exhibition celebrating the rich heritage of South Asian families in Coventry. Inspired by the Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation exhibition, which showcases the lived experiences of a South Asian family in Coventry from 1968 to 2010, featuring immersive room settings, oral histories, radio broadcasts, music, video and graphics to bring these stories to life.
Event Programme:
Share Your Story - Community Conversation Table: This isn't just an exhibition, it's a conversation. We invite you to contribute your own lived experiences to this growing collection. Bring family photographs, newspaper clippings, cherished objects, your stories and memories. Your contributions will shape our understanding of migration, activism, identity and the cultural contributions that have enriched our city, helping us to build a deeper understanding of South Asian heritage in Coventry.
Live Art in Action: Throughout the pop-up, a dynamic, real-time artwork will emerge on the walls, responding to the stories and objects on display.
Community Pinboard: Add your voice to our growing collection. Pin up poetry, photographs, drawings or messages on our community board, or contribute to our scrapbook. Share what South Asian culture means to you and express your experiences creatively. Everyone's contribution helps build our shared story.
Open Mic for spoken word poetry performance: Experience the talents of South Asian poets, musicians and storytellers who will bring the space to life with performances throughout the week. From spoken word to music, these artists celebrate cultural heritage through creative expression.
Drop in anytime. Share your story. Experience live culture. Be part of the exhibition
Our Stories and Heritage celebrates the journeys, resilience and contributions of South Asian families who have made Coventry home.
Event Programme:
*Events are free to attend, however Herbert admission fee applies
Adult Art Masterclass: Powerful Poetry
Monday 6 April 2026 | 10.30am-12pm | FREE* | Book Online
Join poet Dev for a South Asian themed poetry workshop at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum.
Suitable for all experience levels, this session will guide you through techniques to tap into your creative intuition and develop your own poetic voice. This workshop offers a welcoming, supportive environment for participants to write, learn and explore themes of South Asian culture and heritage.
Poetry Performance
Monday 6 April 2026 | 1pm-1.15pm | FREE* | Drop in
Join us for a powerful opening performance by the collective that created the soundscape and spoken-word piece currently on display at the museum. Expertly led by Navkiran and Ode Creatives, experience their shared stories of roots, resilience and representation through poetry and performance.
Open Mic: Community Open Mic
Monday 6 April 2026 | 1.30pm-4pm | FREE* | Book Online
Join us at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum for an afternoon of open mic poetry celebrating South Asian culture, hosted by poet Dev (@poetnamedev).
Whether you'd like to perform or simply listen, this event welcomes all voices and perspectives. Secure your performance slot in advance or drop in on the day. We aim to inspire, encourage and connect through shared experiences of South Asian culture and heritage.
Stories That Made Us - Oral History Drop-In Sessions: Record Your Story with Coventry Archives
Tuesday 7 April 2026 | 11.45am-1.15pm, 1.45pm-3.15pm | FREE | Drop in
Meet Cultural Ambassadors from the Stories That Made Us – Roots, Resilience, Representation exhibition and learn about oral history with Coventry Archives Manager Mike Bevan. Hear recorded stories, discover how community memories are preserved, and record your own oral history to contribute to Coventry's heritage.
Adult Art Masterclass: Messages Across Generations: Portraits, Letters & the Masterji
Wednesday 8 April 2026 | 10.30am-1pm | FREE* | Book Online
Step back to a time before email, when families shared stories through handwritten letters, audio tapes and treasured studio photographs. Join artist Tarla Patel (@t_a_r_l_a) to explore her Masterji archive work, create and print your own portraits, and create a heartfelt letter or audio message to send to someone you love.
Stories That Made Us - Exploring the Virk Collection: A Hands-On Archives Workshop
Thursday 9 April 2026 | 11.45am-1.15pm | FREE* | Book Online
Explore the remarkable Virk Collection with Coventry Archives. Handle archival materials capturing South Asian heritage in Coventry, then share your own story through a personal object. Discover how everyday items preserve identity, memory and community legacy. Led by Archives Assistant Shaniece Martin.
Stories That Made Us Tours: With Curator and Artist Hardish Virk
Tuesday 7 & Thursday 9 April 2026 | 10.30am-11.45am | FREE* | Drop in / first come, first serve
Join curator and artist Hardish Virk on a tour of the dynamic and immersive exhibition, Stories That Made Us - Roots, Resilience, Representation. This is an interactive tour that gives visitors the opportunity to ask questions and share reflections with one of the exhibition's curators.