Collaborate is a project led by our friends at Cartwheel Arts to support artists to keep creative during these difficult times whilst raising awareness about the climate emergency.
Funding from Arts Council England’s Emergency Response Fund has enabled Cartwheel Arts to support 10 of their freelance participatory artists through commissioning new work that focuses on current environmental issues. Through an exciting array of video, audio, painting, print, poetry, puppetry (and even vegetable growing!), these 10 artists have created thought provoking pieces that explore issues from sustainability in the clothing industry to creative ways to recycle.
Collaborate was inspired by the new ways in which the creative community are connecting online. Not only did they want to support artists to keep creative - they also hoped that facilitating creative sharing and learning would spark joy and new ideas. Cartwheel Arts paired up the artists to work together to share their skills and passions using video calls and distanced workshops and walks.
“It's been an absolute pleasure collaborating with Mitch, so much fun” says Collaborate artist Sumit Sarkar
I highly recommend that you Join them on Thursday 19th November, 5-6pm, for their digital exhibition launch!
You can book your FREE ticket on Eventbrite to receive a link for the YouTube premiere on the day:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/collaborate-exhibition-launch-tickets-128097642497
The online exhibition will then be published permanently on Cartwheel Art’s Art for a Reason blog
But that’s not all! If you’re thinking they haven’t thought about you and how you can engage with the environmental issues explored in these pieces, think again! Each pair has created a simple activity postcard that you can try at home. They’ll be publishing these alongside the artists’ work online (Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Blog) for all to access, as well as sending out printed copies to households in Rochdale, where they are continuing to work hard to support people through providing fun creative activities during the pandemic.
You can send your creative makes to be featured on the online community gallery Draw The Day!
Further information from Becky Smyllie becky@cartwheelarts.org.uk
The Collaborate Artists are: Anjum Malik - Natalie Linney - Mandy Beck-McKim - Jodie Silverman - Vicky Lomax - Sumit Sarkar - Ben Turner - Shamshad Khan - Danielle Porter - Mitch Oldham.
Based in Rochdale, Cartwheel Arts has been delivering Art for a Reason - using the arts to address social issues - for over 35 years. PromotING social inclusion, cohesion, diversity, equality and regeneration through community participation in vibrant, innovative, high-quality arts projects.
Cartwheel Arts is well-known for promoting imaginative and often challenging arts projects, not shying away from confronting difficult or sensitive issues. With a focus on participation, Cartwheel Arts enables people who may have had little experience of the arts to explore and develop their creativity and talents, generating a sense of ownership and pride.