Feeling crafty or wanting to explore your creative side? Here are some great art events taking place during during Refugee Festival Scotland that we’ve crafted into a blog just for you!  Click on the links to find out more about each event. 

By Olivia Sykes, Refugee Festival Scotland volunteer 

JUNE 16 

Wonderful Art Afternoon (2 – 4 PM) – Glasgow 

Start off the festival with some chilled-out arts and crafts! 

JUNE 17 

Drawing Together (June 17-28) – Glasgow 

A wellbeing exhibition based around refugee experiences. The event will be open from 10 AM – 6 PM each day throughout the festival.  

Doćhas – An Exhibition of Paintings of Hope (June 17-26) – Glasgow 

Linda Hoskins has created an exhibition of beautiful paintings echoing the festival’s message of hope. Open from 11 AM – 4:30 PM throughout the festival. 

Tree Hope (3-5 PM) – Glasgow 

 A workshop for kids involving drawing trees and photographing them which will be displayed the following Saturday. 

JUNE 18 

Quilling and Cards for the end of Hajj (1:30-4:30 PM) – Glasgow 

Participate in making some greeting cards to celebrate Eid al-Adha. All are welcome! 

Art Exhibition – Museum of Things (June 18, 19 & 21) – Glasgow 

An exhibition celebrating the diverse and unique outputs of people from all kinds of cultures. Opening times vary across days, please see the Scottish Refugee Festival website for details. 

 JUNE 19 

Weaving 1000 Scarves (2-4 PM) – Glasgow 

Help create a weaving project out of recycled scarf fabric to recognize those affected by human trafficking and modern slavery. It will be displayed throughout Scotland, how cool is that? Register here. 

 JUNE 23  

Mama Stitch: Sewing Together Stories About Motherhood (12-4 PM) – Glasgow 

A visual celebration of textile art created by refugee mothers from Amma Birth Companions. This event will be interactive & collaborative, inviting you to try out some art. Register here. 

Unseen Arts, Untold Stories (June 23-25) – Glasgow 

A multi day art exhibition showing work by Kurdish artists. Their work will reflect their personal stories of leaving Kurdistan and seeking asylum in Scotland. Register by emailing director@zagroscommunity.org. 

ConnectMe Exhibition (1-4 PM) – Glasgow 

A photography project by torture survivors group members at Freedom from Torture. This project involved visiting places in Glasgow or elsewhere and exploring any items that made them feel connected. 

Oberih (4-8 PM) – Perth 

Ukrainian artists Dmytro Krishovsky demonstrates the values and cultural beauty of Ukraine. Register for free here. 

 JUNE 24 

Craft A Heart of Hope (11:30 AM – 2:30 PM) – Edinburgh 

Come along for a very easy crafting even. Paint flowers and crochet a heart to pin on your T-shirt. 

Symbols of Hope (1-3 PM) – Glasgow 

In this creative workshop led by artist and educator Lababa Naqvi, participants will explore their own meaning of hope and will represent it visually through various media. Email angela.massafra@glasgowlife.org.uk to register. 

“Govanhill Hopes” Banner Making Workshop (1-5 PM) – Glasgow 

A free drop-in style banner making workshop in partnership with Print Clan to design a public art piece which will be displayed during the festival and eventually hung in the newly refurbished Govanhill Baths. 

JUNE 25 

The Afghan Kites of Hope (11 AM – 3 PM) – Golspie 

An outdoor workshop led by the Afghan families to present the tradition of Afghan kite-making. Bring a picnic to share & a blanket. Contact anna.holda@highlifehighland.com for more info! 

Make Your Own Dragon Boat (1:30 – 4 PM) – Glasgow 

Make your own mini-dragon boat and see how fast it sails in a boat race! 

Stories of Community: Our Bodies, Our Families, Our Homes (1-3 PM) – Glasgow 

CERT Glasgow will teach you how to make your very own zine! Explore your crafty side while also getting in touch with your emotions. 

Wow that’s a lot of art! The Scottish refugee community has so much to offer, and art is an excellent way to engage with our cultural diversity. Hope to see lots of your faces soon. 

 

Refugee Festival Scotland 2023 runs from 16 – 25 June. Check out what’s on where you are.