For Nottingham Refugee Week 2021, we present two exhibitions celebrating diversity and the contribution refugees and asylum seekers make to our city.
A Place to Belong
When I first came here I didn’t have anything to do. I was just trying to survive with my thoughts. Doing art was really helpful
A Participant
Refugee Roots present 20 weeks worth of artwork made by their participants during the national lockdown. During the period, lead artist Ant Sacco posted 88 art packs to 46 participants. Ant ran workshops online, created instruction sheets and made video recordings. Together, they explored watercolours, weaving and wellbeing: keeping some of the most isolated and vulnerable people in our community connected during a difficult time. The participants have gained creative skills, confidence and made friends.
The exhibition celebrates the midpoint in Refugee Roots’ Arts Council funded project Access Arts. They will continue to deliver weekly workshops throughout this year, meeting in person as an art group when they can.
About Refugee Roots
Refugee Roots welcomes all, helping those in need find a place to belong. The charity helps asylum seekers and refugees build relationships and navigate the complexities of building a new life in the UK. Launched in 2001 as The Rainbow Project, Refugee Roots welcomes everyone, valuing each person and their culture, embracing equality and diversity while empowering and supporting those that need it most. It offers a range of empowerment initiatives including befriending, accompanying asylum seekers to appointments, information, advice and guidance, as well as supportive groups including the art group.
Blossoming Friendships
Flowers are a source of joy around the world, so Broxtowe Community Club and Nottingham Amnesty Group have collaborated on a craft project making flowers as a symbol of welcome to those seeking asylum and refuge here. It includes the national flowers of a number of their countries of origin. World Jam have provided a poem to complement the visual display, celebrating our diversity of languages and cultures.
About the Organisations
Broxtowe Community Club is a resident-run organisation bringing the community together for activities, events and craft.
Nottingham Amnesty Group is part of the Amnesty International network, campaigning since 1961 for human rights worldwide.
World Jam is a multilingual poetry and music community, based in Nottingham, who welcome people to perform their art in any language. World Jam run regular writing workshops, livestreams, gigs and socials, and produce poetry anthologies.
