“In the whiteness of a paper I see your face. I am grateful, I still remember every wrinkle and mole on your pleated skin. I pick up a pen. It has been too long since we spoke”. — Natalia Millman.
"Letters to Forever” is supported using public funding by Arts Council England. It launches in August 2025 with a three-week exhibition and workshops at St Peter’s Church, St Albans.
Dates: 6-28th August 2025
St Peter’s Church St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 3HG
Organized and led by the artist, partnering with Cruse Bereavement Support, Grief Encounter, Memory Support Hertfordshire, this immersive project uses storytelling and visual media to explore grief and loss, transforming over 200 personal letters into art and sound installations. Workshops will include grief yoga, soundbath, mindful clay, somatic movement, art.
Key Features and Outcomes:
Engaging workshops: Interactive sessions led by leading psychotherapists and grief specialists to foster community, empathy, and understanding.
Community focus and inclusive activities: Events tailored for individuals living with loss, with additional focus on Ukrainian community and companions of those with dementia.
Artistic transformation: Personal letters become compelling visual art installation, sculpture, sound pieces, performance.
Wellbeing tools: Development of new practices and tools for coping with grief and loss.
Art access: Improved access to contemporary visual art in Hertfordshire.
Community healing: Creation of new artwork by visitors, representing communal healing.
Empathy and understanding: Enhanced social understanding of the stigma of grief and loss, fostering communal empathy.
Safe Space: A non-judgmental environment for individuals to share their grief experiences. It re-defines societal views on grief and loss through creative expression.
For more information an this project and how to get involved to experience the transformative power of art, community, and empathy, please contact the atist.
Volunteering positions are available.
Below are some examples of letters and artwork in response.
Read my blog post “Sharing Stories: Healing Hearts” featured by REIMAGINE about the benefits of writing a Grief Letter and how to start on this journey.
“I’ve found you on Instagram! It looks to be a wonderful project with lots of scope for a great community exhibition”
“I love writing so I have the feeling this is gonna be a good one”
“I 'd love to participate in your project. I recently lost my dad, who was my go-to person, and I think projects like yours truly help the healing / accepting process”
—- Grief Letter participants
