where we've been
The Generator: Stories & Memories
The Generator: Stories and Memories An oral history project supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund
The project captures the voices, recollections and experiences of those who studied, worked and created in the historic Packe Street building over the decades. Through these personal stories, we are preserving the building’s rich creative legacy while sharing it with new generations as The Generator begins its next chapter as a vibrant community arts venue. With thanks to Institute Loughborough for their continued generous support and for providing the filming location. Click on any picture below to read or watch the full interview.
From Student to Ceramics Market Pioneer: David Salisbury's Generator Journey
David Salisbury embodies the ripple effect of arts education. A sculpture student at The Generator from 1972-1975, he's now a successful ceramicist who founded Ceramics in Charnwood – a market that brings 90 potters to Loughborough annually. His story traces a direct line from those formative years in the building's industrial spaces to a lifelong commitment to nurturing creative community.
Cranes, Clocks and Creative Chaos: The Glory Days
In the heart of Loughborough stands The Generator – a 1930s Art Deco building that once powered much of Loughborough College. But from 1998 to 2006, it became something even more electrifying: home to Artspace Loughborough, a collective that had a lasting impact on the town's cultural landscape.
From Art Foundation to running away to the Circus: Sarah Smith's Creative Journey
Sarah Smith's creative journey has taken her from the top floor of the Generator building in Loughborough to the vibrant circus and festival scenes. In this interview, she reflects on her Foundation Art experience in 1994, her subsequent education at Cardiff Art College, and her current roles managing performances at major festivals. Sarah shares how her early art education shaped her thinking and career path, and her vision for what the Generator could become.
From Student to Professional Artist
In this interview, professional artist Jenny shares her formative experiences studying at the Frederick Street art college building from 1995-1997. Now a successful mixed media artist, Jenny reflects on how those early educational experiences at what is now becoming the Generator arts centre shaped her artistic journey.
