WHAT DO WE HOLD DEAR? is a co-created public artwork developed for All Saints View, an independent living development in Houghton Regis.

Created by Tom Pearman in collaboration with artist Emily Tracy, the project brings together objects, photographs, memories and local stories gathered through an extensive programme of community engagement.

The resulting permanent wall artwork forms a large-scale visual collection celebrating both personal histories and the wider social history of Houghton Regis.

A community collection

The artwork is structured as a curated collection of framed objects and images, creating the appearance of a large informal museum or gallery wall.

Material was gathered through conversations with older residents at All Saints View and through wider engagement with local residents, schools, the Houghton Regis Historical Society and members of the public.

Participants were invited to contribute objects, photographs and stories that held personal or community significance.

These ranged from everyday possessions and family photographs to images connected with local sport, work, leisure and the changing history of the town.

What do we hold dear?

The title asks a simple question: what objects and memories do we value, and why?

Rather than focusing only on officially recognised historic artefacts, the project gives equal importance to everyday possessions and personal memories.

A photograph, ornament, piece of clothing or household object can carry as much meaning as a more conventional historic document, allowing the artwork to build a portrait of Houghton Regis through the things people themselves chose to share.

Community engagement

The project was developed through a series of public events, workshops and conversations.

Participants were invited to bring objects to be photographed, share memories associated with them and discuss aspects of life in Houghton Regis.

This process allowed the collection to grow collaboratively, with the final artwork shaped by the contributions and choices of local people rather than being predetermined in advance.

Stories and audio

Alongside the visual artwork, the project included the creation of a series of seven podcasts developed through conversations and reflections with participants.

Audio recordings expand on the stories behind selected objects and photographs, adding voices and personal recollections to the visual collection.

The recordings can be accessed through QR codes, allowing visitors to move between the physical artwork and the spoken memories associated with it.

Permanent artwork

The completed installation extends across approximately 24 metres of the interior at All Saints View.

Printed vinyl images are arranged within a wide range of illustrated frames, giving the wall the appearance of an evolving domestic or museum collection.

The format allows very different kinds of material — historic photographs, personal objects, artworks and everyday possessions — to sit together as part of one shared visual history.