Heritage in the Modern World: Reflections from the Future Panel Made by Grit Studios

Heritage in the Modern World: Reflections from the Future Panel Made by Grit Studios

On Monday November 24th, Grit Studios is hosting a free event at Where the Light Comes In as part of the Crafted Futures Program — an evening that brings together local makers, cultural leaders and cultural heritage experts to explore one important question:

What does heritage mean in the modern world, and how should we carry it forward?

This event combines short talks, live demonstrations, creative performances, and open discussions. It features a diverse panel of speakers:

• Liam HopkinsArtist & Designer, Lazerian
• Chris PolinFounder of Polin Guitars
• Peter HymesStockport Council Heritage & Regeneration
• Emma CallaghanRoyal Naval Museum & ICON Guardian
• James Aldersoncontributed to the creation of Stopford Park

Together, they offer perspectives that cut across design, craft, museum practice, regeneration, history and community identity — creating a multidisciplinary conversation around the theme Heritage in the Modern World.

The Purpose of Creating the Future

Grit Studios created the Crafted Futures Program to explore how ancient techniques, traditional craftsmanship and historical narratives can inform the future of crafting. The event exemplifies this mission: a vibrant mix of heritage, innovation and creativity, framed around the idea that history doesn’t just stand still — it can actively shape what happens next.

The panelists were invited not only to showcase their work, but to show how cultural heritage can live, breathe and develop through modern design processes and community participation.

Heritage in the Modern World: Why It Matters

The broader conversation centers on how cultural heritage plays an important role in contemporary society – especially at a time when communities, landscapes and identities are changing rapidly.

Heritage Anchors Us in a Fast-Moving World

In a digital age defined by speed, cultural heritage offers a rare sense of grounding. Historical places, objects and stories help people understand who they are and where they come from.

Heritage Drives Creativity and Innovation

For many makers, the past is a powerful springboard.
Artists draw on local history, traditional craft techniques and forgotten materials to create works that feel both familiar and unexpected.

In this way, heritage does not become an obstacle, but becomes an engine for new ideas.

Heritage Builds Identity and Community

The panel discussed how shared stories and symbols can strengthen local pride. In places undergoing regeneration, cultural heritage can help communities maintain a sense of continuity even as the surrounding environment continues to develop.

Heritage Can Inspire a More Sustainable Approach

Traditional methods often focus on longevity, repairability and in-depth knowledge of materials — principles that are increasingly valued in modern sustainable design.

The Other Side of the Debate: When Heritage Holds Us Back

The event also highlights that cultural heritage is not universally positive, nor can it be criticized. Difficult questions arise:

Can cultural heritage hinder progress?

Some argue that clinging too closely to the past can stifle innovation or trap places in nostalgia rather than allowing them to move forward.

Should all heritage be preserved?

Inheritance can include a painful or problematic past. Deciding what to keep, what to reinterpret, and what to let go is an ongoing challenge for museums, boards, and communities.

Is cultural heritage commercialized?

The term “heritage” is sometimes used as shorthand for style or branding, thereby missing the deeper meaning.

Who does the inheritance really belong to?

If history is curated by institutions or specialists, some voices – especially those of young people or underrepresented communities – risk being overlooked.

These counterpoints added valuable nuance, reminding participants that cultural heritage is a living and evolving subject, shaped by debate as well as tradition.

Liam Hopkins’ Contribution: Modern Craftsmanship Reframing the Past

Representing Lazerian, Liam Hopkins shares how his practice bridges history and contemporary design. His work often involves:

• Transforming historic materials (such as reclaimed objects or artifacts) into sculptural works
• Incorporating local stories into works of art that reconnect communities with their cultural heritage
• Using traditional crafts and digital fabrication to create new forms
• Challenge who can participate in cultural heritage by bringing community voices directly into the creative process

Liam’s perspective reinforces the idea that cultural heritage is not passive — it is something that can happen activatedreworked, and made meaningful through design.

Collective Reflections: How Heritage Moves Forward

The Crafted Futures panel ultimately agreed that cultural heritage must be protected and reimagined to remain relevant.

We must appreciate the past without being limited by it.

We should celebrate traditional crafts while welcoming new techniques.

We must honor history while making room for new stories and identities.

A legacy is strongest when it takes the form of a dialogue – not a monologue. This event shows that its future lies in collaboration between makers, historians, designers, councils, museums and communities.

And in the hands of creative practitioners like those who spoke at the event, heritage has the potential to transform from something we inherit into something we actively shape.