Refugee children in Bath who are supported by two charities in the city have created a special art display to mark Refugee Week.
The refugee art display | Photo courtesy of Julian House
The week, which ran from 20th to 26th June, is an annual event where the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees are celebrated.
Refugee Week’s vision is for refugees and asylum seekers to be able to live safely within inclusive and welcoming communities.
The theme of this year’s campaign was ‘Healing’ and sought to be a celebration of community, mutual care, and the ability to start again.
Organisers say that healing means recovering from a painful experience or situation so that people can continue to live. Nobody understands this better than those who have lost their homes and had to build new lives from scratch.
On 13th June, the Refugee resettlement team at Julian House hosted an art workshop at Elim Church for the children and young people the charity works with as well as other refugees and asylum seekers living in Bath and surrounding areas.
The children and young adults painted, collaged, drew and stencilled on giant paper leaves.
The drawings were made into a tree and put on display in a window in the centre of Bath.
Sophie, from the Julian House Refugee team, said: “The display of art is a celebration of all of the refugee children and their families living in B&NES.
“Our hope is that as well as enjoying the creativity and talent within each piece of work those viewing the display will reflect on the ways we can learn from one another and build a brighter and fairer future.
“The past few years have presented many challenges and brought to light the power that community and compassion brings.”
The display was available to view in the window of 12 Old Bond Street.
The project was supported by Julian House and Bath Welcomes Refugees, along with the St John’s Foundation which provided the space.
