As part of her artist residency at Alice Billing House, ceramicist Beverley Sommerville explored the relationship between material, memory, and place. Her practice centres on gathering physical matter from meaningful locations and moments in time, incorporating these materials into clay to create artworks that embed the essence of place and history.

This July, we were thrilled to host Inspector of Nuisances – a series of workshops led by Bo and Zoe of Frames of Mind UK. The project invited participants to explore the legacy of women’s health and working conditions in Newham over the past 60 years through creative storytelling, animation, and shared experience

We’re excited to welcome Ramaa Shara as our selected artist-in-residence for South Asian Heritage Month 2025. Ramma, a multidisciplinary artist with roots in South Asia and strong ties to East London, will be undertaking a two-week residency exploring themes of heritage, memory, and identity.

This collaborative project, designed by Fernanda Palmieri and Carsten Jungfer, architects, researchers, students and lecturers at University of East London, engages with Newham’s wider ambition to place people and planet at the heart of Stratford Town Centre’s regeneration.

As part of our Newham Heritage Month project, Inspector of Nuisance, we launched an open call inviting a Newham-based artist to respond to the rich 60-year history of Alice Billing House. 

The funding will breathe life back into the North Building and further improve the South Building, ensuring that the Grade II listed property is safely restored and taken off the Heritage at Risk register. Its new resident artists will continue to build upon the inclusive and representative resource for Newham’s residents, offering activities in the new public spaces, including a pavilion and garden.

On Saturday, 17th May, we opened our to the local community for a unique and memorable tile-making workshop led by artist-in-residence Beverley Sommerville.

Apply to become a Trainee Heritage Producer and learn how to record local stories and create visual material for ‘ Inspector of Nuisances’, a project for Newham Heritage Month 2025.

We are excited to announce the forthcoming artist-in-residency of Beverley Sommerville, which will coincide with London Craft Week. 15 - 17 May 2025

On April 9th, we hosted a fun, family-friendly metal bashing and sculpture workshop that brought creativity and community spirit together.

We invite artists and creative practitioners to apply to be part of our artist-in-residency programme this Spring/Summer. This will be part of our Newham Heritage Month project, which focuses on the history of Alice Billing House.

On the 2nd of April, we had a community planting day. We planted our newly built planters with grasses, perennials, shrubs, bulbs, and herbs to improve the entrance courtyard and provide a space for the artists and visitors to enjoy.

On March 13th, we invited organisations and community members who have supported our journey in Stratford during our first year to join us in celebrating two significant milestones: the ‘big reveal’ of the Community Supper Cloth and the first anniversary of Alice Billing House’s operations.

Led by Mel from Stich School, this workshop was part of Women’s History Month celebrations in East London

Join us on Tuesday 28 January from 6pm at Grow in Hackney Wick for an evening exploring the outcomes of experimental project inspired by Alice Billing House- Speculative ReMemory.

In early December 2024, photographer Sylvie Belbouab visited the Renewal Programme initiative in Eastham to engage with the volunteers and staff to hear more about their stories and capture their portrait as they worked.

In November 2024, Naz went out into Newham to embark on short style interviews with local trailblazers and unsung heroes within the community using the prompt ‘what is your favourite memory of Newham’. The aim was to collect images and the lived experiences of people, documenting the unique perspectives of a broad range of individuals

Marilyn J Fontaine, an East London-based mixed-media artist who creates magical, intense and witty narratives with mystical overtones was Alice Billing House’s Artist-in-Residence to mark Black History Month 2024

This November, the Newham community was invited for a fun and creative day at Alice Billings House! At these hands-on workshop, people learned how to craft beautiful willow wreaths and stars from scratch, ready to add a touch of charm to their homes this festive season