Get creative as graduate to lead Zoom workshop in Art for the Park project
A SERIES of workshops is being delivered via Zoom this month as part of the Art for the Park project led by University of Wales Trinity Saint David graduate Nylahmak and supported by the university and Swansea City of Sanctuary.
The project will culminate in a community art installation that celebrates the 10th anniversary of
Swansea as a City of Sanctuary. The workshops will run once a week. Each participant will make a decorative fabric bird house to be exhibited as part of the public installation, which will be shown in a Swansea park in June as part of the ongoing Gardens of Sanctuary project.
Nylahmak, a surface pattern graduate from Swansea College of Art, designed the project, taking inspiration from tents and cocoon forms as symbols of displacement and refuge. Her workshops will introduce a series of experimental techniques that allow each participant to make a bird house that is visually and conceptually unique.
Art packs and accompanying instructions will be sent out by post.
City of Sanctuary is a grassroots national movement committed to building a culture of hospitality and welcome, especially for refugees seeking sanctuary from war and persecution. Swansea was recognised as the UK’S second City of Sanctuary in May 2010, and the first in Wales.
Art for the Park is part of a year-long series of events to mark the tenth anniversary of Swansea as a City of Sanctuary, during which participants celebrate how people seeking sanctuary have become part of the community, bringing their skills and enthusiasm to help make Swansea the great place it is.
The workshops are open to participants who are refugee or asylumseekers and all members of the local community who have an interest in and empathy for Swansea City of Sanctuary.
Caroline Thraves, academic director for art and media at Swansea College of Art (UWTSD) said: “This project demonstrates our commitment to Swansea as a City of Sanctuary whilst celebrating 10 years since Swansea first became a City of Sanctuary.”
Alan Thomas, co-chairman of Swansea City of Sanctuary, said: “Art for the Park is another fantastic opportunity to show how people seeking sanctuary can work with other local people to produce something beautiful that really adds to the atmosphere and togetherness of our lovely city.
“We have already had the council marking the anniversary with a special flower planting outside the civic offices, two beautiful banners put together from fabric panels by asylum seekers and others, which are hanging in the Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, and a programme of films selected by refugees to be shown at Taliesin.
“The year of events will end with a conference on Realising the Potential of Sanctuary Seekers on June 14, and a special celebration of the people who have sought sanctuary here and made Swansea their home in early July.”
Amanda Roberts, senior education officer at UWTSD, said: “It is always a joy to work with the creative and inspirational individuals affiliated with the Swansea City of Sanctuary group and to support emerging artistic talent.”
Nylahmak, artist, designer and workshop leader said: “I am delighted to be chosen for this exciting project and I am very much looking forward to the sessions and exhibition of the work.” ■ For further information and to book your place, please contact amanda. roberts@uwtsd.ac.uk or swansea@cityofsanctuary. org