Barras Hunt: Collecting Connections in the Calton

The Barras Market is a treasure-trove of wares, from antiques to new tech, clothes to collectibles. Each and every one of these items has something to say about the Calton and its rich history, people and places.

But how easy is it to link these materials together in order to tell a much bigger story about the community? The Pipe Factory, Glasgow Building Preservation Trust and Our Heritage, Our Stories at University of Glasgow are challenging Market goers to a Barras Hunt to find out!

We'll give you a £5 budget, with which you'll be challenged to find an interesting themed item of your choosing, and bring it back to the Barras Hunt crew, where together we'll explore how hidden connections between Market finds can uncover new narratives about this iconic Glasgow landmark.

The event also offers drop-in craft activities for younger visitors with artist Rhian Lloyd, where we'll be making objects to create a record of the day. Visitors will be invited to add to or alter the miniature Pipe Factory archive which will change and grow throughout the event!

We'll have Dr Erika Silverman on site offering useful tips & tricks to help you archive your own at-home collections, and giving you the chance to sign up for FREE introductory archiving training with The Pipe Factory.

Weaving connections between found Barras Hunt objects, we'll illustrate the digital linking that occurs when communities generate their own stories, and the importance of community involvement in representing our shared heritage in a new and exciting way.

You can sign up to take part in the Barras Hunt as a team or on your own. The challenge has no age limit but children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Once you've taken part, you'll be welcome to take your Barras Hunt purchases home!

Directions to our Barras Hunt hub will be posted on the day of the event, via signage at The Pipe Factory, at 42 Bain St, G40 2LA

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 7–16 November 2024. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, with generous support from Research England, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy.

The Barras Hunt is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council as part of the Towards a National Collection programme, and the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of 'Refiring the Pipe Factory'. Craft activities are generously funded by Circular Arts Network. Our thanks to the team at the Barras Market for welcoming this event!

Host or Publisher Friends of The Pipe Factory