From Tuesday 25th to Thursday 27th October 2022, we were delighted to be back with our friends at The Whitworth to launch 'Afrocats x The Whitworth'.
Our partnership was born to bring free culture-inspired creative outlets to families across Greater Manchester that might often face multiple barriers to accessing culture. This could include refugees, asylum seekers, and first-generation young British people of various heritages, of all abilities including neurodiverse young people.
Over the course of the three days visitors were guided by experienced art facilitator of Indian heritage Nayna Lad. People who joined us for the event had the chance to create artistic pieces with various materials including oil pastels, ink, paper Ankara wax print, and paper mosaic in the style of three diverse contemporary artists.
Day One explored paper plate mosaics inspired by the designs of African-American abstract artist Alma Thomas, while Day Two looked at sgraffito art incorporating Ankara wax print inspired by interdisciplinary British-Nigerian artist Yinka Shonibare. Lastly, Day Three involved printmaking inspired by current Whitworth exhibition ‘Colour Is Mine’ by British-Trinidadian artist Althea McNish.
Downstairs, in the main gallery spaces the energy was high with signing and dancing. Families joined in together, creating an opportunity for family bonding.
Can you help us create even more inspirational activities? Making a donation to Afrocats enables us to provide free activities, projects and experiences for some of the most vulnerable communities in Manchester. Make a donation today!