Ignite Imaginations and Compassionate Sheffield set out to create a project that explored how Sheffield and its many communities marked life’s major events including the end of life. Recognising there are personal and communal rituals, ceremonies and traditions that we wanted to learn about.
Through funding from Compassionate Sheffield, Hospice UK and SCC Cohesion Fund, Ignite Imaginations were able to work with 5 community groups across the city, exploring these life events; sharing stories and emotions whilst getting creative along the way. Our professional artists and workshop assistants worked with the groups to use their imaginations and creative skills to explore the themes across 5 workshops.
What you will see at the Exhibition, is their way of communicating to you how they celebrate the full Circle of Life. The artworks will be exhibited in Sheffield’s The Moor Market for the public to view from Wednesday 7th June, 3pm to Tuesday 13th June, 3pm alongside creative activities inviting the wider community to get involved. The community groups participating are Firvale Community Hub, working with artist Ali Bird, ShipShape Community Hub in Sharrow, working with artist Agata Pankowska, Roshni Asian Women’s Network, working with artist Rezwana Sarkar, Family Voice Sheffield, working with artist Mary Sewell and Darnall Well Being, working with artist Laura Page.
Nick Deayton, from Compassionate Sheffield, said “Life and death is something we all have in common. This project has been an inspiring way to learn and celebrate different approaches to important moments within our life cycle. The exhibition at Moor Market is a creative way to express and celebrate our differences, also showing how much we have in common.”
And Luisa Golob, CEO of Ignite Imaginations said “This project has reinforced the importance of harnessing the power of creativity to connect people and share feelings and emotions, particularly around difficult conversations. And we’re looking forward to getting more people involved through our creative activities alongside the public exhibition.” Each piece will be displayed in The Moor Market, Sheffield City Centre from Wednesday 7th June, 3 pm – Tuesday 13th June, 3pm, at the Eyre Street entrance, we hope the people of Sheffield will come along and enjoy these community artworks. Visitors will be encouraged to take part in a self-guided creative activity to reflect on their own experiences or join an artist-led session to express their views.
