Women, Footwear and Freedom: 'Celebrating The Trainer’
As a female-led arts organisation, New House Art Space is proud to present a programme for International Women’s Day 2026, spanning multiple events, workshops and an exhibition throughout March 2026.
Opening Reception 6 March 7-9pm, exhibition continues until the 6 April 2026
Coinciding with International Women’s Day, Celebrating The Trainer: Women, Footwear and Freedom explores women’s complex and often contradictory relationships with footwear, with a particular focus on the cultural rise of the trainer.
Drawing on personal experience and interviews with women, the exhibition examines how shoes shape women’s bodies, confidence and sense of freedom. From painful school shoes and restrictive high heels to the liberation of trainers worn at work, on nights out and even on wedding days, the works address themes of comfort, power, femininity, sexuality and identity.
Artists respond to stories of damaged feet, social expectation and rites of passage, alongside reflections on the enduring allure of heels and the empowering potential of non-gendered footwear such as Doc Martens. Together, the works reveal footwear as both a site of constraint and a tool of self-expression.
Featuring photography, film, painting, ceramics and textile works, the exhibition even includes a striking wall of damaged feet, inviting audiences to reconsider footwear as a powerful, personal and political force in women’s lives.
The exhibition is informed by research by Professor Jane Ogden.
Art Exhibition Celebrating our past, creating our future
Join us for the very special Blossom LGBTQIA+ Arts & Heritage exhibition, featuring art and performances from LGBTQ+ artists.
Grab your tickets for the Opening Reception below!
Accelerating Her Story: Prints That Empower
Accelerating Her Story: Prints that Empower
An Immersive Exhibition by Cherish Chirume
Celebrating African Culture, Women in Business, and the Art of Storytelling
Join us for the opening reception on Saturday 8th March 19:00 - 21:00
We are super excited to announce ‘Accelerating Her Story: Prints that Empower’, an immersive and visually rich exhibition by the talented Peckham-based artist and entrepreneur, Cherish Chirume. The exhibition, which coincides with International Women’s Day, will take place for the whole of March, and will explore the intersection of African culture, textiles, and storytelling - celebrating the empowering journey of women in business and the arts.
Cherish Chirume is the founder of Stories We Cherish, a brand dedicated to promoting African culture, dismantling stereotypes, and fostering cultural exchange. The exhibition will showcase her creative practice, blending textile prints, photography, animation, and immersive installations to share the transformative journey of Cherish as both an entrepreneur and a cultural ambassador.
In addition to the exhibition, we will host a series of interactive workshops and music performances, designed to explore the themes of African culture, textile design, and women’s empowerment.
About Cherish Chirume
Cherish Chirume is an accomplished artist and entrepreneur whose work combines a deep respect for African heritage with contemporary fashion and social impact. As the founder of Stories We Cherish, she has built a brand that celebrates African cultures, supports sustainable practices, and seeks to amplify the voices of women in business. Through her innovative use of textile design, photography, and storytelling, Cherish continues to challenge stereotypes and create meaningful cultural exchanges.
Exploring Gender Affirming Style in the Workplace
Pick your own style adventure in this one-of-a -kind interactive session that explores ways to tackle gender affirming style in a workplace setting.
Drawn from Santi’s style expertise, attendees will learn about a series of professional attires including smart casual wear, formal wear, outfits for work meetings, interviews + more.
Participants will build a toolkit of style knowledge by learning how to create affirming shapes, exploring textures and style genres, and discovering how to put together a professional outfit that brings euphoria.
The workshop includes a style seminar with practical tips, creative brainstorming activities, a style session and demo, a plethora of G(end)er Swap resources to browse through and an opportunity to shop for formal wear and gain one on one style advice from Santi -in our free pop up shop on site which is style, size and gender inclusive.
Thu, 08 June 2024, 14:00-16:00
🎟️ tickets in bio