Creative Day Report, 25th June 2022 

The Creative Day was organised by a committee comprising staff and volunteers from Refugee Roots and City Arts and it was held at the City Arts building in Hockley. The event was organised as part of Nottingham Refugee Week. Two members of the committee are also on the Refugee Week committee. The focus for the event were participatory drumming and percussion and three live performances. Quick drying clay and percussion instruments were provided for children. 

The Creative Day was a complete success. This was largely due to effective organisation, good publicity and the appropriateness of the venue. The day also drew attention to the Refugee Roots exhibition in the City Arts window curated by local artist, Diana Ali. The exhibition displayed art-works from the Arts Council funded Arts Access programme delivered by Refugee Roots.

About 43 people attended the event which included about six children. It ran from midday to 3.00pm. Catering was provided by Crocus Café and included vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Staff and volunteers from both organisations facilitated the day. The food was provided free of charge although visitors were invited to donate towards the cost of the food and £88 was raised towards this. The Sheriff of Nottingham attended and gave a short talk to open the proceedings. 

Two drumming sessions were delivered inside the building by Sherry Fatemi and the remaining activities were delivered in the courtyard area which was set out in a café style with performances on the raised area. 

Performers included:

The Rise Choir (songs from around the world)

Soloist and guitarist Jodie Orton

Just Jamming (a local group courtesy of the Artspeak programme)

Photos of the event

The drumming workshop

 

The Rise Choir singing songs from around the world

Jodie Orton performing her own songs and some covers

The family corner

Background

City Arts is proud to have hosted an exhibition by Refugee Roots for Refugee Week 2022. It celebrates the hope felt in art workshops run by the charity, and the healing creativity can nurture.

Refugees and asylum seekers have joined workshops led by artists Antonietta Sacco and Ismail Khokon. The twice weekly sessions explore clay sculpture, collage, photography and printmaking. They offer participants space for creative play, without fear of failure. Attendees have used their creativity for self-reflection. They’ve considered the world around them and the future. Over time the group have connected with each other. Thinking about healing and wellbeing, they’ve begun to see the things they have in common.

Written by Theo Stickley

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