National Coal Mining Museum for England is proud to announce that it will be working in partnership with acclaimed artist, Jason Wilsher-Mills MBE, after he secured almost £145,000 in funding from Arts Council England to embark on an ambitious year-long national project.

This landmark project will see Jason create a permanent, interactive tapestry inspired by the museum’s historic collection of coal mining union banners. Deeply personal to the artist, these banners evoke vivid memories of his childhood visits to the Wakefield Miners’ Gala in Thornes Park during the 1970s, making the project even more poignant.

The tapestry, which will be on display from early 2026, will be produced in partnership with the prestigious Flanders Tapestry in Belgium. An internationally renowned historical medieval weaver used by Grayson Perry and Damian Hirst, marking one of Jason’s largest commissions outside of London, and the first time he has created tapestries. It will be the first of its kind for a museum in the North of England—combining traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge digital technology to create a fully interactive experience brought to life through, film, animation, and audio.

In addition to the tapestry, Jason will develop two monumental 20-foot inflatable sculptures featuring interactive LED lighting, as well as immersive animations and film content in collaboration with Hot Knife Digital Media. All the work will be exhibited in the museum’s gallery spaces alongside its outstanding mining collections, creating a striking contrast between industrial heritage and contemporary art.

Crucially, the project will engage local and national communities, including disability groups and former mining families. Three artists in residencies for disabled artists will be offered across the country.

Through a series of community workshops, Jason will gather heartfelt stories from coalfield communities, stories of resilience, pride, and working-class grit and humour brought to life in the most incredible way.

Elements of the project, including 3 replicas of the tapestry will be toured around the UK with partner organisations, making them instrumental in telling the important history of coal mining and how it shaped the world.

This project is a bold celebration of working-class voices. It represents a series of exciting firsts for both Jason and the National Coal Mining Museum and promises to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.