A black notebook containing various images of John Archer, attached using tape or a pin. Three blobs of grey paint are smeared next to each other on one of his images, with the name “John Archer” written at the bottom left-hand side of the notebook.

Archer's Legacy Lives:
Roots of the People

Homegrown Festival 2026

Book Now

Information

Time: 6pm

Tickets: Pay What You Can (Recommended Price £6)*

*all orders subject to a transaction fee of £2

Running Time: 2 hours

Age Recommendation: 18+

This workshop takes place in person in Tom’s Café

Roots of the People is the second part of Archer’s Legacy Lives, a two-day exploration of the life and legacy of John Archer.

This performance and creative writing workshop features an original poem inspired by Archer’s words, interwoven with reflections on the progress of the Black British community to create a layered, contemporary piece.

Following the performance, join a guided session to create your own poem, drawing on Archer’s legacy and your personal experiences to develop your voice. You will have the option to share your poem at the end of the workshop. All materials will be provided.

Caribbean-inspired food and drinks will be provided including patties, plantain crisps, and Barbados-inspired beverages in homage to Archer’s Barbadian heritage.

This event can be experienced independently but is best enjoyed alongside Part 1: The Exhibition and Part 3: From Roots to Creation

Credits

Next Gen Producers is part of BAC’s Next Gen creative engagement programmes for ages 11-29, generously supported by Arts Council England and Apple, with additional support from Craig Mawdsley, The Mackintosh Foundation, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust, and The Idlewild Trust.

Access

PRE EVENT INFORMATION

This workshop takes place in person in Tom’s Café. This space is on the ground floor with step-free access.

if you have booked a ticket, you will receive an email before the event detailing important information about your visit.

PERSONAL ASSISTANT/COMPANION TICKETS

If you require the assistance of a friend or helper to attend, we can make a free ticket available for your companion. You can book access companion tickets online or contact the Box Office to book by emailing boxoffice@bac.org.uk.

To book a free access companion online:

  • log in to your account here
  • go to ‘Other preferences’ and tick ‘I require a personal assistant/companion’.
  • Choose the performance, date and seats you would like and if you add at least 2 tickets to your basket, then one of these will automatically become free.

EVENT INFORMATION

Content

  • References to racism.

This event will be Relaxed. We invite you to make yourself comfortable and move around if you need to. If you need to leave the event at any point, you will be allowed to return when you feel ready.

VISIT OUR ACCESS PAGE

We want our shows to be as accessible to as many people as possible.

We offer tickets to most shows on a Pay What You Can basis throughout the year.

Tickets for Homegrown Festival performances in 2026 start at £3, and we have recommended pricing to help you choose a price that works for you.

We know that ticket price is a huge barrier for some. If you can afford to pay the recommended price or more, choosing to do so supports those that can’t. It makes it possible for us to continue to offer Pay What You Can and welcome those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend.

Find Out More

Also part of Homegrown Festival 2026…

A twig of lavender floating in space, with more twigs of lavender and other wild flowers floating in the background.

29 - 30 May

TERRAIN

Homegrown Festival 2026

'TERRAIN' is Homegrown Festival’s space of transformation. We take over a room and turn it into a landscape, an environment you can touch, rest and dream within.

Event Info
A black notebook containing various images of John Archer, attached using tape or a pin. Three blobs of grey paint are smeared next to each other on one of his images, with the name “John Archer” written at the bottom left-hand side of the notebook.

29 - 30 May

Archer's Legacy Lives

Homegrown Festival 2026

'Archer’s Legacy Lives' is a three-part exploration of the life and legacy of John Archer.

Event Info
This fluid, abstract composition features reflective, liquid-like shapes suspended in deep blue space. The image conjures up an imagined underwater environment, with hints of movement and texture that evoke memories of long-forgotten swimming pools. Rather than depicting a literal space, the unstable, continuously shifting forms appear as if shaped by memory, perception and reinterpretation. Created through observation, reconstruction, and reimagination, the image reflects the workshop's approach to space. Sitting between documentation and fiction, it visualises a collective attempt to see the building differently - not as it is now, but as it once was.

29 - 30 May

Almost Here: The Pool That Never Existed

Homegrown Festival 2026

What if Battersea Arts Centre was meant to become a swimming pool and that future never happened? A participatory workshop where you explore BAC and reimagine its hidden past.

Event Info Book Now
An image of a young person sitting on the edge of their bed with their hands covering their face. The young person and the bed are situated upside down as if stuck to the ceiling. The walls around the room have projections of buildings, trees and outdoor spaces.

29 - 30 May

MIA: Out of Sync

Homegrown Festival 2026

Guided by sound, image, and shifting perception, audiences are invited to experience a sensory landscape shaped by an autistic perspective — where reality fragments, intensifies, and transforms.

Event Info Book Now
A young woman is submerged in a hole in an empty field of dirt. Only the back of their head and shoulders is visible.

29 - 30 May

Made-a-Medea

Homegrown Festival 2026

What makes Medea, Medea?

Event Info Book Now
A twig of lavender floating in space, with more twigs of lavender and other wild flowers floating in the background. Colours hae been emphasised and distorted to create a psychedelic effect.

29 May

TERRAIN: PULSE

Homegrown Festival 2026

Four artists take over 'TERRAIN' for one night only, transforming the landscape into their own.

Event Info Book Now
A split image - the left half of the image is of a rugby stadium with a rugby match playing. The view is from amongst the spectators seating, with the back of heads of other spectators, some wearing hats with a jamican flag design. The right half o the image if of a DJ music equipment.

29 - 30 May

Roots, Rhythm and Rugby Fundraiser

Homegrown Festival 2026

A vibrant arts and sports fundraiser supporting the Jamaican Rugby League UK Men’s Team, 'The Reggae Warriors', for their upcoming Emerging Nations Tournament in Australia. With spoken word, open mic, reggae and ska DJ sets, a heritage exhibition, Caribbean food, games, family craft stations, and a raffle.

Event Info Book Now
A group of young people dancing on stage. They are each wearing white t-shirts, black jeans, and a transparent poncho. There is a sing above them saying 'Hope'.

30 May

BAC Academy Jam:
A Beatbox Academy and Dance Academy Collaboration

Homegrown Festival 2026

Explore what it means to be a part of a powerful group through performances created by and for young performers! 

Event Info Book Now
A hand is being held in front of a person wearing jeans and a blue shirt. Their palm is covered in silver stars.

30 May

Angel
(Work-in-Progress)

Homegrown Festival 2026

Lania Hamilton presents a reading of her second play, Angel (Work-In-Progress).

Event Info Book Now