Fun-filled programme of events and activities planned alongside new exhibition

An exciting new exhibition celebrating a Wakefield-born artist is now open at Wakefield Exchange.

‘Jason and the Wakefield Adventure’ by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills is the first large-scale exhibition of work in his hometown.

Jason Wilsher-Mills was born in Wakefield in 1969. At 11 years old, Jason was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition triggered by chickenpox, which confined him to a wheelchair. Through brightly coloured psychedelic inflatables sculptures and interactive digital projections, Jason’s artworks celebrate disability, northern working-class heritage, popular culture and social history.

The exhibition will feature several striking inflatable and fiberglass sculptures. Including an incredible 20m inflatable sculpture – Jason’s largest and most ambitious artwork to date created especially for Wakefield.

There will also be interactive elements such as an AI powered projection, digital artworks, short films and soundtracks. 

Jason has collaborated with local disabled community groups in Wakefield to create an exciting new artwork which will be found in the Canopy outside the WX entrance.

Jason Wilsher-Mills said: “It is truly wonderful to return home to Wakefield and be asked to create an exhibition at Wakefield Exchange. Creating ambitious new work, all about my experiences of growing up in this brilliant city, which has inspired and featured in every piece of work I have made. 

“The exhibition ‘Jason & the Wakefield Adventure’ is a celebration of the city’s history, its people and some of the wonderful characters who I have met, read about, or watched play for my beloved Wakefield Trinity. You will meet ‘Cowboy Dave’, ‘The Jolly Pinder of Wakefield’, ‘Nellie Snowball’ and ‘Parrot Lady’ amongst many other incredible characters, which will feature in my new film project ‘Planet Wakefield’.

“The Merrie City has always been where my heart resides and I owe so much to Wakefield, for providing me with so much inspiration over the years. I would also like to thank Wakefield Council and the team at WX for their support in making this exhibition become a reality.”

Alongside the exhibition, a programme of events and activities will also be taking place, including:

Bookable Workshops:
Led by local artists, these two-hour sessions will be bookable but free and take place on Sundays.

Family drop-in crafts and activities:
Led by local artists, these informal sessions will allow families to enjoy a more hands-on experience during their visit. These will take place on Saturdays during term time and Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the school holidays. 

Welcome sessions:
Every Thursday at 11am, these drop-in sessions will be an opportunity to be welcomed to the exhibition through a short, scripted overview. Suitable for all but especially targeted at those who want a little bit more guidance as to how to enjoy the exhibition and require more support.

BSL and Audio Description tours:
Both BSL and Audio Description free bookable guided tours will be offered throughout the exhibition with options for weekday, evening and weekend slots to ensure a wide range of options.

Relaxed afternoons and mornings:

• Thursdays 3-5pm (during term time)
• Mondays 9-11am and Thursdays 3-5pm (during the school holidays)

Family tours for SEND:
These sessions will welcome families on a relaxed guided tour of the exhibition on Tuesdays during the summer school holidays.

Activity in libraries and across the district:
Selected libraries across the Wakefield district will feature inflatable sculptures and themed displays, offering an imaginative introduction to Wilsher-Mills' world and encouraging families to explore the full exhibition at Wakefield Exchange. These libraries will host a programme of Jason-inspired bookable artist-led sessions, drop in adventure themed story times and craft activities, encouraging participants to unleash their own imaginations and get creative, inspired by the wonderful work on display. Residents can view the artworks from Friday 20 June – Sunday 7 September at Wakefield Libraries in Airedale, Castleford, Hemsworth, Pontefract, Stanley and Wakefield.

Community engagement:
A series of community days will take places across the district with partners:

• Thursday 31 July – Yorkshire Sculpture Park
• Wednesday 6 August – The Hepworth Wakefield
• Saturday 16 August – Inclusive Sports Festival at Thornes Park
• Monday 25 August – Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club
• Saturday 30 August – Castleford Tigers Rugby Club
• Sunday 31 August – Featherstone Rovers Foundation 

These days will offer a mix of public fun days with artist-led workshops, sports activities, and picnic-friendly spaces, as well as smaller-scale appearances of Jason’s inflatable sculptures to bring the exhibition direct to communities. 

DanceXplosion – live inflatable sculpture performances in the district!: 
As part of the wider Arts Council England funded project, Jason has been commissioned to create five inflatable costume pieces to bring to life some of his fantastical characters. This is the first time Jason has ever made wearable sculptures. The inflatable costumes will be activated by members of DanceXplosion, run by performer Jodie Travis.  

DanceXplosion was formed in 2016. The organisation delivers dance and movement sessions to children in and around Wakefield district. Its mission is to promote the importance of a physical and healthy lifestyle whilst empowering our young people in a safe and non-judgmental environment.  Working in partnership with Wakefield schools and Wakefield Trinity RLFC, DanceXplosion has reached over 10,000 children every year. 

The live inflatable sculpture performances will take place at various times throughout the exhibition: Sat 21 June, Sat 23 August, Sun 24 August, Sat 6 Sept at Wakefield Exchange and Monday 25 August at Wakefield Trinity Rugby Club.

Jodie Travis, DanceXplosion, said: “We are excited to have been chosen to create movement-based choreography, depicting the history of Wakefield, in the vibrant character costumes created by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills."

Other activities:

• Artists talks
• Superhero life drawing: Friday afternoons, term time only
• Silent disco evening to celebrate world music day on 9 August
• Brass band to coincide with city wide Beer Festival on 13 July 

Find out more about the exhibition and all the activities planned at www.wxwakefield.co.uk/Whats-On/Details?event=jason-and-the-wakefield-adventure 

For more information about Jason Wilsher-Mills, visit www.jwmartist.co.uk