In-Situ began in 2012, when three artists, Paul, Kerry and William decided to root their practice in the place where they were living.
Each developing their own projects and approaches in a shared way, the early work was a crossover of ecology and biodiversity, youth work and dialogical work in place, exploring subcultures and personal stories.
In-Situ was the sum of its parts from which an interdisciplinary methodology emerged and guides our practice now.
The In-Residence programme began to allow time and space for artists to spend time in Pendle and work alongside In-Situ on proposed ideas that engaged with people, place and culture in Brierfield, Nelson and the surrounding area.
Something that shaped the character of the early organisation was the way that younger artists were invited to become part of what was happening. In-Situ supported developing social practitioners by providing internships for younger artists to work alongside activities and initiate their own projects.
In-Situ evolved as a changing non-hierarchical collective, working on projects that emphasised slow working and making a difference in the community by having an ear to the ground and building relationships in neighbourhoods. We also took our practice further afield, building links with projects in Texas (US) and Lahore (Pakistan).
​
It was always important that artists and practitioners be given flexibility, without working to a brief or deadline; seeing how things might evolve when many are able to contribute organically according to individual strengths.
​
“What In-Situ aimed to do from the outset was make all it’s work relevant to the communities living here and to achieve this we had to find the common ground, shared issues and concerns, reasons for celebration within and across diverse communities."
Kerry Morrison
Socio-ecological artist and co-founder
Over more than a decade, In-Situ has developed as a practitioner-led organisation, embedded in the everyday life of local communities, and in response to the Pendle landscape.
For many years we worked out of Brierfield Library. Overtime and in collaboration with friends, family, organisations and community groups, we were able to undertake some significant ambitious projects by scaling up our way of working, and many smaller, quieter ones that nestled into the ordinary fabric or routines of the locale, increasing opportunities for people to have more experiences of art where they live and to meet artists in ordinary settings.
In 2018-22 we were awarded Arts Council England NPO funding, and also opened a building (The Garage) which serves as a base for the team, but also a space for community groups and events, artist residencies and Pendle Social Cinema screenings.
In 2023-26 we were awarded our second NPO grant and became the lead organisation in a £1.2 million strategic regeneration partnership as part of Nelson's Town Deal programme, working with longterm partners Building Bridges Pendle and Super Slow Way, with Pendle Borough Council.
This was something else
In 2022, we made this film with Paul, Kerry and William. The conversation follows the ten year development of seeing what would happen if you fund artists and community workers to work together longterm in an under-served post-industrial mill town in East Lancashire.
Starting with the very first conversations and research trips, including visiting Rick Lowe and Project Row Houses in Houston, Texas, the three describe their intention to work in a longterm, meaningful way, in symbiosis with people and place.
Asking 'what is the structure that can enable this work to happen', they reflect on the importance of making time for acting on chance encounters and creating space for others, the development of a Code of Ethics and an emerging dialogical space between art and action.
From setting out plans around Kerry's kitchen table to bringing internationally acclaimed work to an 'Unlocked' Smith and Nephews Mill; hosting artists in residence to feeding local residents and encountering extreme poverty whilst running The Shop, the three reflect on the challenges, learning and achievements of the past ten years, and the ways that working collaboratively in the locale has changed their outlook on their individual practices and the role of art in everyday life.
Art of Relationships
As part of In-Situ's 10 year celebrations, we commissioned a film to tell the story of the impact that being involved with In-Situ has had on community and collaborators over the past decade.
Art is Life!
Running parallel with In-Situ's story in place is that of community group, Mums 2 Mums. Brought together as parents linked to Marsden Heights High School, they have worked longterm with In-Situ on many projects, bringing a whole new relationship to art and place. In this film, made in 2022, the Mums describe the transformative power of art and their definition of what art means in everyday life.
​
This film charts their work with pioneering socially engaged artist Suzanne Lacy on Shapes of Water Sounds of Hope at Brierfield Mill, to selecting work by artist Madiah Aijaz at Liverpool Biennial to present back in Nelson, their adventures in the landscape with artist Kerry Morrison and their more recent work on faith, bodies, nature and imagination; Kill Your Desires, with Anna Taylor and Zoya Bhatti.