For this special episode we are thrilled to share Sienna Rackall’s 11 minute audio, Before the Now. Sienna’s work was developed with us over the past 4 months after being selected from worldbuilding workshops for young people (13-18) led by Future Artefacts through HVH arts in August 2022. Sienna’s work centres on the distant planet, Minerva’s, spoilt queen, Audrea, who doesn’t understand why her people are angered by her decadent lifestyle. With Sienna, we discuss secret languages, the line between conspiracy theories and myth and how dinosaurs might have arrived on earth. We’d also like to thank Debbie Clark, the founder of HvH arts, for taking time to share a few words on the show, and helping us host workshops during the summer.

Sienna Rackall was awarded this mentorship through HVH arts. HVH ARTS is a registered charity inspiring a generation of young people by offering them a gateway to the arts. By funding after and out of school classes in primary and secondary state schools in England, the Foundation provides children with the inspiration and tools to develop lifelong artistic passions.

This episode, and the workshops with HVH Arts have been kindly supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Funding.

Artist: Sienna Rackall

Hosts: Nina Davies and Niamh Schmidtke

Music: Joe Moss and John Trevaskis

Producer: Flo Lines

Broadcast through Radio Thamesmead