Carlos trower pt 2

THE TEAM: Amardeep Singh, Mustafa Alhawari, Oneilla Weeratunge, Olivia Elsey and Najah Mohammed

Research Aim: To explore and commemorate the life and legacy of Carlos Trower, a celebrated high-trope walker and advocate for emancipation, through the lens of his connection to Christmas Steps in Bristol. By investigating historical records, engaging the community, and supporting the Blue Plaque initiative, this research seeks to highlight Trower’s resilience, cultural significance, and ongoing influence, while fostering a deeper understanding of the historical and social narratives that shaped his journey.

The Client: Local Learning

The Brief: The brief for this project focused on celebrating the life and legacy of Carlos Trower, "The African Blondin," through research, community engagement, and creative storytelling. By delving into Trower’s connection to Christmas Steps in Bristol, we explored themes of resilience, balance, and freedom while fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to storytelling.

Methodology: Our team placed community engagement at the heart of this project. Through partnerships with local organisations, schools, and residents, we brought Trower’s story to life in a way that resonated with the people of Bristol. Key community engagement efforts included:

Workshops with Willow Park School: Primary school children participated in creative sessions where they explored Trower’s legacy. Activities included designing artifacts and symbols inspired by his performances and imagining scenes from his life, which were incorporated into the exhibition.

Interactive Public Engagement: A whiteboard voting activity allowed passers-by to guide the route of the project, fostering a sense of shared ownership and collaboration. Conversations with local residents unearthed personal anecdotes and stories about Christmas Steps, adding a deeply human layer to the research.

Door-to-Door Outreach: Engaged with businesses and residents along Christmas Steps, discussing the history of the area and collecting feedback on the project. Collaborations included placing posters on historical buildings and involving shop owners in the exhibition setup.

Inclusive Accessibility Features: QR codes were included in exhibition materials to ensure digital access to the content, making the project inclusive to a broader audience. The resulting interactive exhibition, held at Christmas Steps, brought together historical artifacts, illustrations, and contributions from these community efforts.

Highlights included:
Collaborative Artifacts: Displaying children’s drawings, local stories, and participatory creations.
Historical Displays: Panels detailing Trower’s life, performances, and his connection to emancipation.
Interactive Elements: Feedback mechanisms, digital resources, and immersive storytelling techniques.

The exhibition not only honoured Carlos Trower’s remarkable achievements but also connected Bristol’s historical narrative to its contemporary community, reinforcing the importance of shared heritage and inclusivity. This community-driven approach was instrumental in progressing the Blue Plaque initiative, ensuring that Trower’s legacy continues to inspire generations to come.