As part of my project Darning Newham I ran creative workshops and a design competition for NewVIc sixth form students with my collaborator Memunatu Barrie for Newham Heritage Month in May 2021.
Our Darning Newham workshops were free and hosted on Zoom due to COVID restrictions. As part of our project, funded by the National Lottery we were able to provide workshop packs to all participants. The workshop I led explored decorative mending and embroidery, teaching basic sewing skills that can be used to fix and embellish clothing. It was a relaxed workshop that encouraged conversation while stitching, participants shared stories about their connection to textiles and the contribution of women in their lives.
Myself and Memunatu Barrie, met at NewVic sixth form college and studied Textiles A-level from 2014 to 2016. Therefore, collaborating with NewVIc sixth form students and staff was an essential part of the NHM2021 project, as we sought to give back to the place where our own creative practices had started.
The competition gave students the opportunity to promote their creative practice, receive feedback from myself and Memunatu and have the chance to win a £250 art shop gift card to help fund their passion.
Overall, we received 31 compelling and bold design entries, which all demonstrated deep personal reflections on the themes of family, faith, politics and location. The feedback sessions with students during the competition were hugely rewarding for myself, Memunatu and the students. The project demonstrated the importance of young artists connecting and supporting each other.
"This has been a really interesting and enriching experience for our students. The project encouraged them to think about their own families and lives and the immense contribution they make, not only to them personally but in a wider sense and as a whole. Many found they really enjoyed researching the history of the borough and finding out about the different lives lived here, whether they were celebrity or overlooked essential workers. It was a great opportunity for them to reflect on how as young adults they can contribute to the community in the future as artists and designers. The individual feedback from Katie and Memunatu to the students was the highlight of the project; their encouraging critique was inspiring and supportive to each student. By taking part in the project the students received a fresh perspective on their work from designers, this gave them an invaluable insight into university and future design careers in the creative industries.”
– Charlotte Amore, NewVIc Art and Design Teacher
Thanks to Newham Heritage Month, London Borough of Newham, Newham Archive and National Lottery Heritage Fund for supporting this project.