Community Murals Celebrating Home
Overview
Community Murals Celebrating Home is a partnership between Applecart Arts, Red Door Studios, 7th Newham Scouts, and local primary school children which aims to create a group of community murals in and around the neighbourhood of Applecart Arts, in Plashet Park.
Artist Freya Harwood Bond of Red Door Studios has worked with local school pupils and members of the 7th Newham Scouts to explore and celebrate their connection to their local area and environment. Freya ran workshops with the young people which explored multiple artistic disciplines, and the creative work that emerged will inspire the final mural designs.
The designs are currently being finalised. Once the designs are complete, the young people who have taken part will be invited to take part in painting the final murals. Throughout this process, the project has been documented on film and a screening of this film and exhibition of the design process will take place at Applecart Arts to celebrate the opening of the murals.
“This project has been an amazing opportunity to allow children and young people from the local area to express their concept of home and culture. [It is] a snapshot of the world from the eyes of a primary school student whose everyday parameters are predominantly limited to the local park, the journey to and from school and home.
The Newham Scouts are children aged from 11-18 and so their concept of home and their everyday experience stretched further afield into the city rather than just the immediate local area. As an artist in this project my role was to attempt to piece the children’s thoughts and drawings together into cohesive scenes.”
About the project partners
Community Murals Celebrating Home is led by Applecart Arts, an organisation based in Plashet Park who believe that stories are potent and have the power to challenge, change and strengthen communities. As well as having a beautiful 50-seat theatre, rehearsal and exhibition spaces, art studios and welcoming community café, Applecart support the development of emerging artists.
Red Door Studios is a grassroots, artist-led space which offers affordable studios and operates with a community-led ethos. 7th Newham Scouts is a group for young people who are adventure seekers, nature lovers, and lifelong learners.
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