78 pics: Pantry members get creative to end poverty
From mosaics to murals, pots to paintings, Pantry members have been creating stunning art pieces this year
Dozens of people around the UK have been taking part in creative arts projects, alongside the Let’s End Poverty campaign.
Earlier this year, grants were provided to ten Your Local Pantries, to enable them to organise projects that would bring members together and amplify their voice.
Several of the projects have now been completed. The variety and creativity have been spectacular! We’ve seen crochet and cards; pots and portraits, mosaics, murals and more.
Check out the photos below, via the Your Local Pantry facebook page:
Let's End Poverty art projects
Creations have included:
- Members designed a mural for the shutters of Greenhouse Pantry in Edinburgh
- In Reading, members crocheted a woollen Christmas tree, which was then fitted to a wooden frame and illuminated outside the Pantry.
- In Birmingham, members have been learning pottery, and creating their own pots and vases decorated with their personal stories.
- Members in Macclesfield have been working on a mosaic, and eight accompanying pieces of art.
- In Kingston, London, members produced personal portraits exploring life’s challenges and their hopes, and also made Christmas cards.
- In Kilcooley in Northern Ireland, members took part in community workshops and came up with the idea of a mural of bears, representing the strength and resilience of the community.
What members said
“When I first joined, I felt excited and curious to learn something new, and I loved the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the sessions. I feel that these workshops have truly helped me express myself through art and given me a space to connect with others who share the same interest. It’s made me feel like I have a clearer voice and presence.”
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“It felt creative and it was lovely to get out of the house for a couple of hours without worrying how I would afford it…. I jumped at the chance to socialise and not be just “mum” for a night. I feel that more hobbies should be available to all on low incomes. It gives you something to look forward to when things are getting on top.”
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“The soul searching was a surprise, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional work. But in the end it was an amazing experience. It was out of my comfort zone, but I loved it.”
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“My pot represents a mandala pattern: some nature and trees, and my house. I want to have every part of my culture, my village and my city on the pot.”
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“I am so proud of our cards. I can’t believe I have designed a card that will be sold!”
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“It was an opportunity for introspection and thinking about our pasts and future – sometimes uncomfortable but best not left totally unscrutinised… I’ve never been so proud of something I’ve created before.”
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“I’m proud and delighted to be able to help facilitate the group. It gives great pleasure to use creativity to build confidence and hope in humanity. ‘Altrusim’ (a key point summed up so well by one of our young members) of the whole team, means we can appreciate the smooth running of the Pantry each week. The mosaic helps foster appreciation for not only the wealth of food and daily items so needed but that we are all together and dependent on one another for support. I’m grateful for the opportunity to do something creative in such a meaningful way. Thankyou!”
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“I shop regularly at the Pantry. It’s an absolute lifeline to me. Being part of the mural project was such a rewarding experience. The idea of using bears to symbolise the weight of the cost-of-living crisis and the fact it’s a family of bears really got me, cause they’re strong and resilient, just like us trying to get by.
“Every time I see the mural, it brightens my day and reminds me of the strength of the community. It was lovely to watch the kids helping to paint – it was adorable seeing their little creative contributions come to life. It gave the project such a family vibe, which is exactly what this place feels like: a Pantry family.”
