Students Engage in a Week of Lectures and Workshops on historic memory and role of artists in society.

A total of 250 students from Hull School of Arts and Design, ranging from first-year NVQ to second-year MA levels, participated in a week-long program of lectures and workshops. The activities focused on the historical memory of the Spanish Civil War, the act of remembrance, and the role artists play in addressing social issues.

During the week, students explored the history of the International Brigades, particularly those who came from their city of Hull and those aboard the Ciudad de Barcelona, the ship central to the Solidarity Park project.

The primary objective of the week was to encourage students to investigate the history of individuals who resisted the rise of fascism in the 1930s and the lead-up to World War II. After conducting independent research and reflecting on contemporary social issues, they were tasked with creating an artistic response of their choice.

Additionally, students were invited to participate in the International Student “Porthole Project,” where they designed an image within a 30cm circular frame, symbolizing a porthole. One selected design will be featured on the Solidarity Park monument in 2026, alongside three other artworks created by students from Catalunya. Furthermore, with support from the Hull Trades Union Council, ten students—representing the ten International Brigadiers from Hull—will participate in the Solidarity Park Festival in May 2025.

Hull students making Alabaster figurines

As part of the Bring Solidarity Home project, 40 students took part in alabaster stone sculpting workshops, where they learned basic sculpting techniques and explored artistic skills beyond their regular curriculum.

The students’ work will be showcased in two exhibitions—one in Hull and another in Catalunya—providing them with an international platform to display their art.

Overall, the program aimed to inspire students, broaden their artistic horizons, and introduce them to the principles of “artivism”—demonstrating how artists can engage with important and emotional social issues, both historically and in the present day.

A short promo video made by Hull College