“In the whiteness of a paper I see your face. I am grateful, I still remember every wrinkle and mole on your pleated skin. I pick up a pen. It has been too long since we spoke”. — Natalia Millman.
. Over the course of three weeks in August 2025, Letters to Forever transformed the historic St Peter’s Church into a home for remembrance, creativity, and connection—drawing more than 2,000 visitors.
The exhibition reimagined over 200 personal letters of grief and reflection 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, it offered a deeply thoughtful exploration of loss, love, and resilience.
At its heart were the letters—words written in moments of grief, memory, and love—brought to life through drawing, movement, sound, and space. Rather than providing answers, Letters to Forever invited visitors to pause, to feel, and to connect—whether in solitude or together. Many of the participants who contributed letters also attended the exhibition, seeing their words transformed into art and shared with others. The experience was multigenerational, with people of all ages—young and old—taking part and finding resonance.
The exhibition was enriched by a vibrant Public Programme: four holistic workshops, an artist talk, a film screening and performance, and an opening launch attended by the Mayor of St Albans, community organisations, UK and international grief experts and researchers, and many creatives. Two workshops were dedicated to the Ukrainian community and companions of people with dementia, reflecting the project’s commitment to inclusion and care. All these events were fully booked.
Exhibition was made accessible offering audio-description of pieces. Interactive and participatory elements were popular with young and neuro-divergent visitors.
Collaboration was at the core of Letters to Forever. St Peter’s Church had never hosted a project of this kind before, and its historic architecture was elevated by the presence of art, sound, and stories of grief—blending space and theme in ways that felt deeply resonant. Numerous collaborations shaped the work, from partnerships with Cruse Bereavement Support offering a safe space and resources to artist’s own creative growth in artistic practice and project management. These relationships and learnings became part of the exhibition’s fabric, expanding its reach and depth.
Hazel Edwards, South East Area Director at Arts Council England, reflected:
“‘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.”
