Fri 25 Oct - Sun 12 Apr 2026
Manchester-based artist and activist Lou Miller collaborated with children from St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School in L1 to explore their vision of freedom. The resulting exhibition transformed the voices of the children, aged 8-11, into a series of textile banners, clay, and print works for adults and children alike. Miller's practice has a strong collaborative focus, exploring themes of community, work, health, and social change. For We Dream of Our Freedom, the gallery became a community studio, and invited audiences to share their own ideas of freedom and respond to the children’s vision.
We Dream of Our Freedom was part of Our Freedom: Then and Now, a UK-wide, locally-led arts and creative programme from Future Arts Centres, which produced 60 new pieces of work reflecting on what ‘Our Freedom’ means to local people and their communities, following the 80th anniversary of VE/VJ Day.
The themes of the project resonated deeply with the Bluecoat’s own history. Not only was the building severely damaged during the Blitz, but for the last 100 years as an arts centre, the Bluecoat has championed creativity, and the freedom for artists, and everyone, to express themselves freely through their art.
Free entry
Review: 'Lou Miller: We Dream of Our Freedom at Bluecoat'
"It’s a beautiful exhibition that breaks down walls in a really kind way. I left this show feeling good about freedom of speech, rather than fearful of the groups who use it as a weapon."
- Patrick Kirk-Smith, Art in Liverpool