In 2002 HEADS was awarded funding by Yorkshire Arts, the Community Foundation for Calderdale, English Heritage, Calderdale's Cultural Grant Scheme and the Government's Single Regeneration Budget for Todmorden and Mixenden for an innovative pilot project designed to bring new people into the working environment of the working artist.

Val Bestwick and John Lyons worked as artist-mentors with eleven participants drawn from the local community through a widespread publicity campaign.

The project was made up of equal numbers of men and women from across the age range, differing levels of previous knowledge and differing degrees of mobility. Two participants with learning disabilities attended with their support workers.

The programme of activities took place between May and October of 2002. Participants visited six archaeological sites and took part in six drawing and painting workshops at the studio gallery, where participants developed their ideas and techniques. This was followed by an intensive two-day residential course.

An exhibition of work resulting from the project was opened at the Hourglass Studio Gallery in October 2002 and was then toured to Todmorden Tourist Information Centre, Mixended Community Centre and the Tolson Museum, Huddersfield.