Villiers Revealed

For centuries, queer lives—and those of other marginalised communities—have been hidden, misrepresented, or erased from public memory. At Culture Leicestershire, we’re beginning to change that. With support from Arts Council England and a commitment to inclusivity, we’re taking bold steps to make heritage more reflective of the people it belongs to.

This virtual exhibition, Villiers Revealed, invites you to explore hidden LGBTQ+ narratives in our collections—stories that haven’t always been told, but have always been here.

Why a Virtual Exhibition?

Not everyone can—or wants to—enter physical museum spaces. As project consultant Jon Sleigh says, “some people simply aren’t ready or able to access queer spaces physically.” Digital platforms offer a gentler, more accessible route into heritage, allowing people to engage on their own terms.

Watch the trailer here:

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Co-Curated, Community-Centred 

This exhibition was shaped with communities, not just for them. Through creative workshops, community input, and artist collaborations, we’ve centred voices often excluded from heritage. From tapestry-making to collective poetry, these artworks reimagine who belongs in our shared past.

What You’ll Discover

The Duke who captured a King’s heart. Explore queer possibilities in early modern history.

We Have Always Been Here – a powerful collaboration with Aaran Sian and Leicestershire’s LGBTQ+ communities, reclaiming queer and trans narratives erased by colonialism.

Queering the Collection – student co-curators from the University of Nottingham uncover hidden resonances in our artefacts, using creative responses and digital innovation.

 

 

Inclusion in Action

The project’s engagement with heritage has given the community a platform to amplify voices too often sidelined. As one participant put it: “This was a chance to promote queer visibility and accessibility—something that matters deeply to me.” That message of inclusion echoes across every

layer of this project—from the Pride flag on our museum’s door to the personal stories in our digital galleries.

In creating together, we’re not just presenting history—we’re transforming who gets to tell it.

 

Artist Statement – Andy Campbell & Judi Alston
One to One Development Trust creators of the Villiers Virtual Gallery

With Villiers Revealed, we set out to create more than a digital exhibition; we wanted to open up a safe space for LGBTQIA+ stories that have long been marginalised in museums and heritage spaces. As artists working at the intersection of storytelling, technology, and social engagement, we believe digital platforms can unlock new ways of experiencing history by being more participatory, more personal, and more inclusive.

The creative process behind Villiers Revealed was rooted in collaboration and imagination. Rather than replicating a traditional gallery, we built a bespoke, imaginary one, layered with symbolism, texture, and mood designed to invite reflection and curiosity. We played with media, integrating film, sound, photography, and interactive 3D elements to form a rich, sensory environment that responds to the themes of the project: identity, visibility, resistance, and belonging.

Working closely with students from the University of Nottingham and the team at Culture Leicestershire, we co-created a space where community voices are central. Each element in the gallery speaks of a shared journey, of revealing what has always been present but rarely seen.

For us, Villiers Revealed is a statement: that queer histories deserve not only to be told but to be felt and that digital heritage, when approached with bold creativity and care, can be a powerful force for equity and cultural transformation.

 

Acknowledgements and thanks:

Aaran Sian (they/them) – Artist and Creative Facilitator

One to One Development Trust – Films, Games and Immersive Storytelling for Social Change

Jon Sleigh (he/him) – Learning Curator

University of Nottingham staff and students

Nikita Aaashi Chadha (they/them) – writer, poet and social commentator

Dosti Leicester – Social and support group for South Asian and Middle Eastern LGBTQ+ communities

Queer Coffee Link Ups – Community centring queer joy & stories

Leicestershire LGBTQ+ Centre – Hinckley Youth Group

Bill Newsinger – Filmmaker

 

Find out more about how the exhibition was curated by clicking here 

Click here to start exploring the exhibition ➤