From the Earth Comes Light – Powerful New Wakefield Exhibition
On Thursday 4th April, we were honoured to be invited to the launch of a truly powerful exhibition at the National Coal Mining Museum for England – and what an unforgettable evening it was.
‘From the Earth Comes Light: Women, Creativity, and Mining in 20th Century Britain’ is a moving tribute to the women who lived, worked, and created within mining communities. Too often their voices have been overlooked – but here, through poetry, art, and storytelling, they take centre stage.
We were captivated by the stirring poetry of Sarah Wimbush, whose words gave life to generations of women whose strength was forged underground and at home. Curators Jennifer Jasmine White and Alison Cooper shared thoughtful insights into the making of the exhibition, and to top it all off, Betty Cook led an unforgettable rendition of ‘Women of the Working Class’.
Events like this remind us just how important it is to protect and promote our cultural spaces. Right here in Wakefield, we’re lucky to have creative institutions doing the kind of work that moves people, sparks conversation, and brings history to life. It’s more than a museum visit – it’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and the arts.
The exhibition is free to attend and runs until Sunday 28 September. We can’t recommend it enough – go see it, take a friend and let it inspire you. It was a real reminder of the power of creative work rooted in place and history – and the importance of supporting it. Wakefield has a long tradition of community and culture going in hand, and this exhibition is a brilliant example of that in action.
