THE ALICE BILLING HOUSE BLOG
Follow the journey of Alice Billing House as it evolves from an empty space on Stratford’s High Street to creative home to artists with a heritage-led community-arts project space.
ANNOUNCING SAM IKHUORIA AS ARTIST- IN -RESIDENT FOR NEWHAM HERITAGE MONTH 2025
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.
SUPPORT SECURED FROM FROM NATIONAL LOTTERY HERITAGE FUND FOR THE RENOVATION
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.
TILE-MAKING WORKSHOP ‘MADE OF PLACE’
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.
LEARN TO BE A HERITAGE PRODUCER!
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.
STORIES OF MATTER: THE SECRET LIVES OF ALICE BILLING HOUSE
We are excited to announce the forthcoming artist-in-residency of Beverley Sommerville, which will coincide with London Craft Week. 15 - 17 May 2025
METAL BASHING AS AN ODE TO THE BUILDINGS PAST AS A FIREMAN’S ACCOMMODATION
On April 9th, we hosted a fun, family-friendly metal bashing and sculpture workshop that brought creativity and community spirit together.
CALL FOR NEWHAM ARTISTS - PAID RESIDENCY FOR NEWHAM HERITAGE MONTH 2025
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.
COMMUNITY PLANTING DAY
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.
ALICE BILLING HOUSE’S FIRST ANNIVERSARY AND SUPPER CLOTH LAUNCH
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.
FLORAL EMBROIDERY PATCH MAKING
Led by Mel from Stich School, this workshop was part of Women’s History Month celebrations in East London
SPECULATIVE REMEMORY - AN EVENT AND GALLERY SHOW
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.
PHOTOGRAPHER SYLVIE BELBOUAB VISITS THE RENEWAL PROGRAMME
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.
MEMORIE(AST) BY NAZ FROM NEWHAM
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 - ARTIST IN RESIDENCE - BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2024
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
FESTIVE WILLOW WORKSHOPS
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
OPEN HEART CLINIC WITH YAA ADDAE
In October, we were excited to welcome the founder of ‘Open Heart Clinic’, Yaa Addae, who is a writer, researcher, and participatory curator to facilitate a 2 part creative lab in response to themes surrounding the ongoing speculative archive project.
MONIKA SZOLLE: ALICE BILLING HOUSE’S PHOTOGRAPHER IN RESIDENCE
Monika is a Newham resident, Alice Billing House studio resident and professional photographer who specialises in modern portraiture where working with muses allows them to feel comfortable and empowered resulting in artistic imagery that makes a statement.
OPEN STUDIOS 2024, PART OF OPEN HOUSE LONDON
On Saturday 21 September 2024, Alice Billing House had its first Open Studios. We welcomed over 70 visitors who enjoyed perusing the studios or our resident artists as well as joining our community stitch project The Supper Cloth.
THE SUPPER CLOTH: COMMUNITY STITCH ART PROJECT
Over 3 weeks in September, we ran our community stitch art project, The Supper Cloth. A collaborative piece of embroidery art created by the residents of Newham.