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Journey Workshop Exhibition

Sat 31 Jul & Sun 1 Aug, 12:00-17:00

This exhibition is the culmination of six workshops facilitated by artist Güler Ates that took place at Open Hand Open Space in June.

In collaboration with Reading Refugee Support Group, the workshops brought together displaced refugee families, and locals who are connected through living in the same area. These workshops were an informal and relaxed space, focused on patchwork, printmaking and painting. Participants were given a creative output to explore their own ideas about what a 'journey' means to them. The aim is to connect the communities and create a sense of joint creativity whilst learning new skills.

Workshops are an opportunity for people from different cultural backgrounds to come together as a community. Some participants have never previously experienced making art or encountered an art setting such as a contemporary art gallery. Workshops are a potential gateway to experience the art world, whilst creating strong bonds and friendships along the way.

The exhibition includes the work made in the sessions by 38 adults and children. Each work is a unique exploration of process and ideas through the medium of painting, patchwork, printmaking and embroidery.

This project is funded by Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants. The workshops have generously been supported by Reading Refugee Support Group, and Open Hand Open Space and Hannah Conroy.

The text is edited by Katherine Van Uytrecht.
Van Uytrecht is an artist and a Print Tutor at Royal Academy School.

Exhibition opening hours

12pm - 5pm

Private Viewing

Saturday 31 July, 2pm - 4pm