Collaborative Art Project: ‘A Digital Patchwork of Strangers’

Aims of the Collaborative Art Project To use art as a voice to send a message of welcome to sanctuary seekers in our community. To encourage a more empathetic approach to sanctuary seekers by helping young people to understand what it means to be a refugee or asylum seeker. To give students the opportunity to impact the wider-community and to promote a welcoming society amongst locals. Empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

What’s the plan? Watch this short film about the wall-hanging that Year 9 Fashion & Clothing students contributed towards for Norfolk Welcomes this year. by school children to mark Norfolk Welcomes 2019. https://youtu.be/s7_vyF1MqJ4 This week, you will have the opportunity to create your own square that will be included in a digital patchwork, along with squares made by students and people all over Norfolk. RESOURCES: A calico square 25cm x 25cm (5cm border to be used) Paper, pencil, coloured felt, PVA glue, scissors, masking tape, ink pad and alphabet stamps. (pin optional, can use tape to attach template to felt) METHOD: - Prepare the calico square by attaching it with masking tape directly onto a table, clipboard or piece of thick cardboard. - Place the masking tape to create a border so the 20cm x 20cm area becomes your working space for your design. Draw the design onto paper to make a template. Then pin the template to the felt and cut carefully around the felt. Attach the felt onto the calico using PVA glue. Use the alphabet stamps to print out your words onto the calico fabric.

Start by thinking of key words that you might wish to include Getting Started To begin, you will need 2 pieces of A4 paper. Use a ruler to design a square that is 18cm x 18cm, on each. Your first sheet will be used to draft your design. The second will be used to create your final draft that you will submit. Start by thinking of key words that you might wish to include You can begin designing your squares right away, but keep in mind that you may learn some new things from the themed activities that will take place during Refugee Week, that you may wish to incorporate into your designs.

You have until the end of the week to submit your squares. Materials You have until the end of the week to submit your squares. Your tutor will decide which materials you can use during Tutor Time, but you may take your squares home if you wish to use different materials. The more colourful your square, the better… Please try to avoid using just a biro! Or… you may prefer to create your square on a computer! Just make sure that you are working with the correct dimensions. This is a digital project, so we will need to be able to either scan or photograph your square.

Inspiration The next few slides will include ideas for the fabric squares that were included in the original wall hanging. You won’t be using the same materials, but you can still draw inspiration from the themes that are covered…

Inspiration: Journeys This design is inspired by the journeys that have been made by people seeking sanctuary. Think of words that we use to welcome those who make these difficult and dangerous journeys. Words of hope and support.

Inspiration: Journeys and a Voice The lines in this design represent the journeys that are made by those seeking sanctuary. The words are taken from the letter written by Clais van Wervekin to his wife on the 21st August, 1567. He was one of ‘The Strangers’ who came to Norwich. You may use words that you feel are the most important to you after you have heard a story of one of ‘The Strangers’.

Inspiration: We Are a Community We are a community, ever changing and ever growing. As new people join our community, they bring their talents and share their stories with us. They enrich our lives. Think about the ways we can share our community with those seeking sanctuary. E.g. sharing our music, dance, games, stories, friendship.

Inspiration: Contributions and Legacy Think about the contributions of ‘The Strangers’ to the community in Norwich. This design is based on the story of Harriet Martineau. Listen to her story. Think about what she did, the impact it had on those around her and her legacy in our lives today. Choose a few words that you feel ‘speak’ to you or perhaps a quote to use in your design. Then take time to retell the story to someone else.

Inspiration: The Strangers - Canaries The Strangers brought their weaving skills and their pet canaries with them when they arrived in Norwich. This design shows a canary and the stitching represents weaving. Think about the contribution of the ‘The Strangers’ and what they brought to Norwich to influence your design.

We would love to see what you produce and add it to our digital patchwork. You can post your squares to Norwich Schools of Sanctuary, Avenue Junior School, Avenue Road, Norwich, NR2 3HP. Digital squares or scanned images can be sent to:  info@norwichschoolsofsanctuary.org