To Market has worked with the Museum of Cambridge to launch a new community co-curated exhibition ‘Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge’, in partnership with Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi and the African Caribbean Research Group, which opened on 26th of April 2025. The first exhibition of its kind in Cambridge, it shines a light on the lives and experiences of the Caribbean Windrush community and those who left an indelible mark on Cambridge and the UK.
Featuring for the first time a series of oral histories from local Caribbean Elders in Cambridge, the oral histories capture special moments of family history, experiences and invaluable community stories. Stories collected in partnership with Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi share the fantastic legacy of the Windrush generation through music, food, religion, the arts and community. From pub landlords, local newsagent owners and steelpan bands, the exhibition celebrates the people at the heart of Cambridge’s community.
This project was made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. This project brought together an intergenerational team of volunteers to tell the story of the local community.
A group of young “Windrush Curators” worked alongside elders, family members and local community members to research, uncover and share the untold histories of Cambridge’s Caribbean past. To Market was commissioned to devise and deliver a series of educational workshops to share the Windrush story with the Windrush Curators and guide and help shape the content and curation of the exhibition and its community workshop programme.
Displaying a range of personal items on loan from community members, the exhibit features photographs, textiles, steel pans, local cricket history and 6 new oral histories for visitors to explore.
“Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge” will remain on display until January 2026.
Alex Smaridge, Interim Museum Director
“We were incredibly fortunate to work with Jo Sealy of To Market on the Legacies of Windrush in Cambridge project. Jo’s creativity, professionalism, and dedication were instrumental in shaping the project from concept to completion. She played a key role in designing and delivering a series of engaging co-curation workshops that brought the stories and significance of the Windrush generation to life for a diverse audience.In collaboration with Cambridge student curators and the museum team, Jo supported the development and implementation of ideas that ultimately shaped a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition. Her ability to guide and inspire students while ensuring historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity was exceptional
Thanks to Jo’s contribution, the final exhibition not only honoured the legacy of the Windrush generation in Cambridge but also empowered young voices to take part in preserving and presenting this vital history. It was a pleasure working with Jo, and we would wholeheartedly recommend her for future heritage, education, or exhibition-based projects.”
Carol J Brown-Leonardi BSc (Hons), MPhil (Cantab), PhD)
As the creator of the Legacies of the Windrush project in Cambridge, I aimed to honour the lived experiences and contributions of the Windrush generation with authenticity and care. A core goal was fostering intergenerational connections between elders and young people from the Cambridge general public, Caribbean diaspora and university communities, helping the younger generation relate to and curate these stories in a museum setting.
Collaborating with the African Caribbean Research Group and the Museum of Cambridge, Jo Sealy of to Market played a key role in shaping the project. Her input ensured that the educational workshops were accessible, engaging, and grounded in historical truth. She worked seamlessly with all partners, including student curators, guiding them in turning complex histories into compelling public narratives.
Jo brought insight, creativity, and sensitivity to the project, enriching the exhibition and deepening its impact on visitors. Her contribution was invaluable, and her collaborative approach made the process both effective and enjoyable. I am truly grateful for her involvement, she was a joy to work with and I would gladly work with her again. She is highly recommended’.
Founder and Chair of The African Caribbean Research Group (ACRG)
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