Early career artists from the ExploreTheArch collective began connecting creatively with participants from the Four Courts high rise neighbourhood in St Leonards-on-Sea. The history and the heritage of the area was explored supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Making It Happen Funding through Hastings Voluntary Action resulting in an installation and mixed media community exhibition in November 2023, an online series of illustrations of residents' stories and Christmas concerts In December 2023.
ExploreTheArch Early career artists continued the creative connection in After-School Connect sessions on Mondays 4-6pm with children and families and Wednesday Morning Connect, 10.30 - 1pm, in Roosevelt lounge with older participants funded by Making It Happen Funding through Hastings Voluntary Action. The resulting installation and mixed media exhibition was part of the A Town Explores A Book festival.
After-School Connect sessions and Wednesday Morning Connects continue as we create outdoor art work for the A Curious Town Grows festival commissioned by Curious Agenda and supported in ongoing funding by Making It Happen Funding through Hastings Voluntary Action.
How this project came about:
In December 2022, the ExploreTheArch collective mounted High Rise Connecting Conversations, a community arts project with Seria project in Kyiv, Ukraine. It connected the Four Courts community with a mirror high-rise community in Kyiv, Ukraine through an installation of film, sound, and photographs in interactive portals.
Four Courts building