A photography exhibition exploring the stories of people who moved to Stoke-on-Trent from across the world is being displayed for a second time. 

With the support of the local arts and educational charity B. ARTS, Surrey-based photographer Sam Ivin has updated the exhibition for 2025 as part of Stoke's Centenary celebrations. 

Settling 2.0 is now open at the Henrion Gallery at Staffordshire University, featuring new portraits and stories, displayed alongside the original project. 

Sam, a photographic artist who focuses on social issues and the people connected with them, said: "I'm so grateful for the opportunity to revisit Settling and create a few more portraits. 

"I hope audiences enjoy looking at people's pictures and learning about their fascinating stories as much as I have. 

"The communities that exist here are very special."

Portrait of Walerian Tyminski, a Polish World War II veteran (image via Nub News)

Rebecca Frankenberg, Creative Producer at B. ARTS, said: "It's all part of the Centenary, to celebrate the people of the city and the stories of the people who have made the city. 

"It was a great chance to display the exhibition in a different part of the city, revisit the stories of the original contributors and add some new ones as well. 

"It's also really nice to have that continuity with people who were original workshop participants and celebrate all the wonderful things they have achieved since then." 

The exhibition was first exhibited at Potteries Museum & Art Gallery, Hanley in 2019 with support from GRAIN Projects, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Appetite and Arts Council England. 

The project has now been updated and redisplayed with support from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire University.

The exhibition revisits stories from the original project alongside some new ones (image via Nub News)

Rebecca added: "There are a lot of stories from people who have moved from other parts of the world to Stoke, but also there are stories of people who have moved from different parts of the UK. 

"The digital archive tells the story of how rich the city is with all the different communities and remarkable individuals who have made their lives here." 

The stories explored in the exhibition can be found in the digital archive created as part of the project. 

Some of the stories featured in the exhibition include Walerian Tyminski, a Polish World War II veteran, Aida Houghton from Bosnia and Herzegovina who has been awarded with an MBE and Imrana Waheed from Pakistan who now runs two shops in the city centre with her husband. 

Portrait of Imrana Waheed who now runs two small shops in Hanley (image via Nub News)

Rebecca said: "People have found it really powerful to hear about the different stories. 

"We have a wide range of heritages and nationalities shared here, and some of the stories are quite shocking in terms of what a difficult journey they have had to get here. 

"I think anytime you get to know about another person's life and experiences there is a real moment of connection." 

Settling 2.0 is open to the public at the Henrion Gallery, Staffordshire University until 8 January. 

Photographer Sam Ivin will also be running a photography workshop at the exhibition on Saturday 6 December. 

The digital archive is available to view online here. 

Full opening times: 

• Wednesday 19th-Friday 21st Nov 12-5pm 
• Wednesday 26th-Friday 28th Nov 12-5pm 
• Saturday 29th Nov – 10-4pm 
• Weds 3rd Dec-Friday 5th Dec 12-5pm 
• Saturday 6th Dec Nov– 10-4pm (additional free photography-based activities) 
• Weds 10th Dec-Friday 12th Dec 12-5pm 
• Weds 7th Jan-Thurs 8th Jan 12-5pm