

“Threads of Connection” is an innovative cultural collaboration between Heritage, Education and Art. Together with Manchester Museum, SODA (School of Digital Art) and Print City, the project transforms historical artefacts from the Lee Kai Hung Chinese Culture Gallery into digital contemporary narratives.
This is not just an educational program — it’s a full-scale creative initiative that bridges heritage, digital innovation, and cross-generational storytelling. By connecting past and present, students and professionals, art and technology, the project demonstrates how cultural institutions can activate collections in meaningful, inspiring ways.

The core idea is simple: heritage is not static. Through art, digital storytelling, and experimental design, museum objects can become catalysts for dialogue, creativity, and public engagement. Threads of Connection reinterprets textiles and artefacts to uncover human stories, cultural memory, and future possibilities.
Heritage becomes truly alive when objects transcend their historical context to inspire contemporary creativity. Our approach demonstrates that cultural artefacts are not mere relics but active participants in ongoing human narratives.
This methodology engages audiences across generations, creating meaningful connections between traditional wisdom and modern innovation. By positioning young creators as interpreters of historical objects, we foster deep cultural appreciation whilst developing essential creative and technical skills.

Objects reveal their stories through creative reinterpretation, transforming static displays into dynamic conversations between past and present.
Our methodology bridges age gaps, creating meaningful dialogue between traditional knowledge holders and contemporary digital natives.
We merge education, technology, and cultural exploration to create immersive learning experiences that resonate with modern audiences.
Meet the visionary team driving this innovative cultural collaboration, bringing together expertise in creative practice, education, and curatorial excellence.
Creative Director
Award-winning artist pioneering the Insight–Text–Image methodology, Katerina brings decades of experience in transforming cultural narratives through innovative creative practices and digital storytelling techniques.
Academic Lead
Award-winning artist, creative producer, lecturer at SODA, Debbi provides essential mentorship and creative production guidance, ensuring students develop both technical skills and cultural sensitivity throughout the project.
Cultural Producer
Manchester Museum producer specialising in Chinese cultural heritage, Hazel ensures authentic representation and cultural integrity whilst facilitating meaningful connections between historical artefacts and contemporary interpretation.
Each historical artefact becomes a portal to explore connections between past traditions and contemporary experiences, revealing universal human stories across time and culture.

This protective garment reveals stories of courage, community service, and technological innovation across centuries, inspiring modern interpretations of safety, heroism, and social responsibility.

Imperial silk embodying power, artistic mastery, and cultural symbolism. Students explore themes of authority, identity, and the relationship between clothing and social status in contemporary contexts.

These delicate shoes prompt profound discussions about beauty standards, cultural practices, and women's experiences, creating space for examining contemporary issues through historical perspective.
Sudents work in small interdisciplinary teams, emulating professional creative studios. In this process integrates an Insight-Text-Image methodology to bring historical artifacts to life, focusing on a multi-stage creative journey:

Thoroughly researching historical and cultural context to gain deep insights into each artifact.

Developing compelling narratives that humanize artifacts, connecting their past to contemporary experiences.

Experimenting with diverse forms of creative expression, including digital storytelling, 3D fabrication, and textile design.

Producing high-quality outputs for engaging public-facing exhibitions, both online and in physical galleries.
Sccess is measured not only by the final artefacts but by the depth of engagement, creativity, and the connections forged between students, institutions, and audiences.
Meaningful interaction with museum artefacts both on-site and online.
Practical experience with interdisciplinary collaboration and creative production.
Demonstrates a replicable model for future heritage activation projects.
Students leave with professional-quality work and public exposure.


Creative Director
Email: katerina.karp.100@gmail.com
LinkedIn: @katerina-karp-creative-marketing
Academic Lead
Email: d.bandara@mmu.ac.uk
LinkedIn: @debbiebandara
Cultural Producer
Email: hazel.ng@manchester.ac.uk
Instagram: @threads_of_connection_MM
© 2024 Katerina Karp. All rights reserved.
Threads of Connection