“Grief is a journey we all face, yet it’s so often met with silence. ‘Letters to Forever’ began with my own story – losing my dad – and grew into a container holding the stories of others. Each letter is a testament to the strength and vulnerability of the human spirit. My hope is that this exhibition transforms pain into something that connects, heals, and inspires us all.”
– Natalia Millman

For three weeks, the historic St Peter’s Church will host over 200 personal letters—each written in moments of grief and reflection—reimagined as visual installations, soundscapes, scent pieces, video works, and live performances. Curated and led by Natalia MIllman and supported by Arts Council England in partnership with Cruse Bereavement Support, this exhibition offers a thoughtful and creative exploration of loss, love, and resilience.

These letters, written by people navigating their own experiences of loss, become the heart of the exhibition. Through drawing, movement, sound and space, they are brought to life in ways that speak to both the pain and the beauty of remembering. Rather than offering answers, Letters to Forever opens a space to feel, to connect, and to reflect—alone or with others.

This is a multi-sensory experience: meditative audio, tactile materials, subtle scents, and powerful imagery combine to create an environment that is both gentle and thought-provoking.

To deepen the experience, the exhibition includes interactive workshops (see info below), offering visitors the chance to explore their own emotions creatively. From mindful clay to journaling, grief circles with breathwork, and yoga for healing, each session is led by local practitioners. Two workshops are dedicated to the Ukrainian community and carers of people with dementia, reflecting the project’s commitment to inclusion and care.

Why visit?
Because grief is something we all encounter—but rarely talk about.
Because art can make space for stories we often keep hidden.
Because in sharing what we’ve lost, we begin to find one another. 

What The Arts Council England is Saying

Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director at Arts Council England, describes the project:

“Letters to Forever’ is a remarkable demonstration of how art can touch our most profound emotions, creating empathy and connection. This project isn’t just about grief; it’s about the beauty of the human experience.”

PUBLIC PROGRAMME

7 August - Exhibition Launch / 6-8.30 PM

13 August - Artist Talk: Natalia Millman in Conversation with Kate Ray, Art of Grieving / 1-2PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

16 August - Yoga for Healing / 1-2.30PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

17 August - Change, Release & Belonging for Ukrainian community / 1-4.30PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

19 August - Mindful Clay / 1-3PM St Albans Museum & Gallery — Book Now

20 August - Caring for Carers for companions of people with dementia, in collaboration with Memory Support Hertfordshire / 1-3.30PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

24 August - Beautiful Grief: Circle & Ritual in Grief / 1-4PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

28 August - Performance & Film Screening “Letters to Forever” / 7-8PM St Peter’s Church St Albans — Book Now

Exhibition Opening Hours:

Monday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday: Closed

The exhibition is wheelchair accessible, with audio descriptions and subtitles available for an inclusive experience.

Explore the context of this project, including interviews and written features.

In conversation with Annette Fernando, multi-disciplinary artist and curatorabout the context of Letters to Forever. Video and Editing by Ella Leboff.

Testimonials:

“My friend sent me the link about your project because she and I had been writing in a book we entitled our "grief book" for some time. I realized that we don't often share what we hold in our deepest selves out loud and the book was a freeing way to share, without the same shame and burden; or at least in a different way. Possibly a less vulnerable way. My grief is multi-layered and writing for your project helped me see that more clearly. “ G

 “My memories of my friend, Jay, are so distinct so it was with huge sadness that I found out by chance that he had actually died nearly half a year previous, without me knowing. This was both a time of anger at mutual friends, who had not bothered to tell me (since I was an ocean away) as well as myself for not keeping in touch over the past couple of years. Writing my Grief Letter gave me the opportunity to reconcile myself to the situation and assess our long friendship with humour and love.” L