This Girl Codes Showcase
This Girl Codes Showcase Celebrates Young Creatives in Digital Art and STEM
Young artists and innovators from the This Girl Codes project recently showcased their impressive digital artwork at Hardwick Hall and Pleasley Pit, inspiring visitors with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths (STEAM).
The This Girl Codes initiative, led by Junction Arts, encourages young people to explore the connections between art, technology, and local history. Since its launch in 2020, the program has delivered 128 workshops and events across Bolsover District and North East Derbyshire, using women’s history as inspiration for creative digital projects.
Throughout 2024, This Girl Codes has been working with Pleasley Pit and Hardwick Hall (National Trust), exploring the theme of ‘Tools of Creativity’, working with diverse guest artists from across the East Midlands and Yorkshire to bring specialist skills ranging from analogue photography, engineering and textiles.
Empowering Young Minds Through History and Innovation
In June 2024, girls from Shirebrook Academy (aged 11-15) embarked on a three-day journey to explore the stories of inspiring women in history. These included Bess of Hardwick, the formidable builder of Hardwick Hall; her granddaughter Arbella, who defied expectations for love; and the powerful women of mining communities who shaped local history. Their experiences were transformed into creative expressions through textiles, electronics, music production, and projection art.
Guided by artists Rachel Scanlon and Sian Watson-Taylor, participants created a textile banner with LED lights, music compositions, and hologram projections. These works were proudly displayed at the This Girl Codes Showcase, held at Hardwick Hall (March 2-7, 2024) and Pleasley Pit (March 8-14, 2024).
Interactive Exhibitions Bringing Digital Arts to Life
To launch the exhibitions Junction Arts offered hands-on workshops in:
- DJing – Exploring sound and music mixing
- Digital Weaving – Combining technology with textile art
- Engineering Challenges – Encouraging problem-solving and innovation
- Vegetable-Powered Tech – Demonstrating alternative energy sources
Visitors left inspired, with one young attendee (aged 9) sharing:
“I thought it would just be pictures on walls, but this is actually really fun—there are loads of things to do!”Another participant reflected:
“It was a way for me to be creative and look at science and history from a different perspective, and that’s what I love about it—trying something new.”
Junction Arts Project Manager Jemma Burton highlighted the impact of the project, stating:
“In the last 12 months, our artists and This Girl Codes participants have created so many amazing pieces of art inspired by science, technology, engineering, and maths. We wanted to bring everything together to showcase their hard work and creativity. Young people and their families have been inspired by This Girl Codes, and we hope the exhibitions and hands-on activities have helped spread the message even further.”
This Girl Codes is supported by Arts Council England and Bolsover District Council.
For more information, visit: https://thisgirl.codes/