Creative LGBT History workshop under 25s - Things x Sculpture

Creative LGBT History workshop for under 25s - Things and Stuff x Sculpture

As queer people, it can be really hard to find out about our own histories. We know we’ve always been here - but how can we access those stories and connect with our heritage? As part of Liberty Festival 2025 and Wandsworth Borough of Culture, lesbian writer and historian Claude Graham is collaborating with Balham Library to deliver a series of three workshops aimed at 14 - 25 year olds to introduce participants to lesser-known LGBT stories, with a focus on lesbian and transmasculine histories.

This Things and Stuff workshop will shine a spotlight on the everyday items and subtle symbols that have been used by sapphic communities of the past. For the first 45 minutes, we will learn the history behind modern day queer iconography like carabiners, rings and pin badges, as well as encountering new ‘bric and brac’ from the past. Then we will crack out the clay and celebrate our own mundane but cherished belongings by - quite literally - putting them on a pedestal.

Who is running the workshop?

Claude Graham will be leading the workshop. Claude (she/her) is a writer, theatre producer and workshop facilitator based in South London. She has a passion for connecting LGBTQIA+ folks with their queer heritage through art, literature and academia. Claude holds an MA in Gender, Society and Representation from UCL, with a focus on the history of sexuality and subcultural sociology.

Jasmine Shigemura Lee will be assisting the workshop. Jasmine (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist who creates live art. She explores autobiography from a queer and mixed Japanese-Irish heritage perspective through the use of illusion, humour and transformation. Jasmine is a graduate of the Slade School of Art, and recipient of the Clare Winsten Memorial Award and the Berenice Goodwin Prize for Performance Art.

What should I expect?

There is no expectation of prior artistic experience or aptitude; we are using creativity as a means to connect with our histories first and foremost. You will not be asked to share your sexuality or gender identity at any point in the workshop. If you have any concerns ahead of attending or would like to discuss access needs, please just reach out to the libraries team. (There is space in the sign up form to state any access needs.)

This workshop is the third and final of a three-part series. You are welcome to book for all three, or just join for one or two! Please follow the links for the Eventbrite pages for workshop 1 (iconic people) and workshop 2 (places of community).

This workshop will take place in the Study Room at Balham Library, this is on the first floor and accessible via lift and stairs.

If you have any further questions, or struggling to book a place please contact Balham Library on 0208 673 1129 or Balham.Library@gll.org