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Introducing our Associate & Assistant Producers

Written by Jade & Kristina
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2nd March 2022

We are delighted to welcome Jade Samuels and Kristina Hall to the China Plate team!

Kristina will be working as an Assistant Producer to support the development and delivery of To The Streets! Jade will be working as an Associate Producer on Soho Settlers by Black Heritage Walks Network & Overhear and We Still Here by Jane Thakoordin – two of the community-led projects, running alongside To The Streets!

 

Photographs of two women smiling directly to the camera, within circle frames.

Can you introduce yourself?

Jade: Hey guys! I’m Jade Samuels, a Birmingham based artist with a passion for getting unknown, untold stories out into the world, particularly ones from the Midlands.

Kristina: I’m a visual artist, and you’ll often find me working outdoors in community gardens, in the studio making lots of mess or facilitating and programming creative workshops. I’m passionate about sustainable outcomes, mutual belonging, and community participation.

What’s your favourite quote?

Jade: ‘Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re probably right’

Kristina: ‘Be the change you want to see’

What aspirations do you have for 2022?

Jade: I want to build upon the amazing work that is being done within the sector, particularly here in the Midlands. The work is richer and more diverse then any time i can remember, artists are taking up space in ways I’ve never seen them do before, it’s beautiful.

Kristina: To spend my time with friends and family. A lot is coming from the arts this year, so I will also to visiting various national shows and exhibitions.

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies?

Jade: I’m a single ‘mom’ (not mum, I’m from Brum) to my 11 year old daughter Rae, she takes up most of my time! I live in the gym, it’s my favourite place to let off steam and be selfish. I also have an addiction to pretty clothes.

Kristina: I enjoy going to live music events and watching Birmingham based artists perform. But also, I love a good book and a cup of coffee.

Can you tell us a bit about the work you’re doing with China Plate and what excites you about the project?

Jade: So I will be working with Black Heritage Walks Network and Overhear to create a memory walk in collaboration with the people from Handsworth. The project is called ‘Soho Settlers’, and its aim is to tell the story of migration within the area. People will be able to use the Overhear app to collect these stories by exploring specific areas, a bit like ‘Pokemon-Go’ for poetry! Handsworth is what is referred to as ‘Super-Diverse’, it’s a melting pot of rich cultures and the amazing stories of the people that decided to migrate there and call it ‘Home’ when they came to live in this country. I’m from Balsall Heath (another inner city area of Brum) which is not dissimilar to Handsworth, so honouring the people that live within our inner city areas is a passion of mine, I can’t wait to meet with all of the people and hear their amazing tales. I’m also honoured to be the vessel that allows those stories to be shared with the world, its amazing!

Kristina: I’m an Assistant Producer working to support the development and delivery across mid-scale productions and, in particular, China Plate’s new musical To The Streets! this summer. I’m most excited about engaging and connecting wider communities.

If you would like to find out more, please visit our To The Streets!, We Still Here and Soho Settlers project pages.