April: Creativity, Community, and Things Beginning to Bloom
April has been a month of creativity, connection, and quiet momentum.
Across public art, community programmes, and studio work, there’s been a shared thread running through it all —
re-imagining what already exists.
Spaces, materials, ideas, and people… all coming together in new ways.
Carousel Mural
A key highlight this month has been the completion of a co-created mural at Carousel Family Centre.
The mural began at our Creative Seasons: Spring Sparks pop-up, where over 80 community members shared ideas, colours, and creative responses. These contributions shaped the final piece, which now brings a sense of energy, welcome, and shared ownership to the space.
The mural process remained open and evolving, with contributions from community members including Sophie (Creative Me), younger participants, and support from Jade and Ella.
The final piece reflects not just a design, but a collective moment, led as part of my practice and supported by a wider creative team and community.
Before
After
What an event…
Spring Sparks brought together families, children, and local residents for a day of creative making, connection, and shared ideas.
The session was supported by local artists Sarah, Jade, and Sana, who helped create a warm, welcoming and inclusive space — a true collaborative team.
Special thanks also to Cathie from Vale of White Horse District Council, whose support through funding helped make the event possible and backed the vision of creating accessible creative spaces for the community.
Bloom Pop Ups
Bloom continues to grow as a monthly outdoor creative space, offering accessible, welcoming sessions for all ages to connect with creativity and nature.
This month’s session focused on planting, making, and spending time outdoors together — creating simple but meaningful opportunities for connection.
✨ Highlight
We were joined by James from SNG, who filmed and captured the session as part of a short piece, helping to share the energy and impact of these spaces more widely.
Alongside this, Ella continues to document the work across sessions, capturing both the artwork and the shared moments behind it.
We are also beginning to open up opportunities for local artists to be part of Bloom, creating space to share practice, build experience, and connect more deeply with the community.
These shared experiences continue to shape the development of Moments of Joy, a growing body of work focused on small-scale public artworks that bring creativity, colour, and connection into everyday spaces.
Creative Climate Champions
In our school sessions, young people have been exploring single use plastic and re imagining materials. They’ve been thinking about how discarded items can become something new, while beginning to design and re imagine their own clothing.
It’s been inspiring to see ideas develop through experimentation, colour and personal expression.
"It's her favourite thing each month. She hasn't taken her badge off and it has really helped her grow in creative confidence."
Creative Me
Creative Me sessions have been focused on preparing for an upcoming OPA fashion show, with young people designing and creating re-imagined garments.
The work reflects individuality, creativity, and growing confidence, using fashion as a way to explore identity and self-expression.
Hospital Sessions
Hospital sessions this month have centred around clay work, offering a calm, tactile and accessible way for patients to engage creatively.
These quieter sessions continue to highlight the importance of gentle, open-ended creative spaces for wellbeing..
✨ Studio Practice
Alongside community work, studio practice has continued to develop.
New mural work is underway, exploring colour, movement, and evolving ideas within my visual language.
At the same time, new Life Styling pieces are in progress — re-imagining summer bags into wearable art, reconnecting with material-led, expressive making.
Moments of Joy
Coming soon, Moments of Joy will introduce small and large creative interventions designed to brighten everyday spaces. These co created pieces will bring colour, connection and a sense of belonging into community locations. More to share soon.
🌱 Looking Ahead
April has been a month of building — of ideas becoming visible and connections deepening.
The work continues to grow through:
Public art and place-based projects
Creative community programmes
Opportunities for collaboration and shared making
As always, the work is shaped by the people who take part — and the spaces that hold it.
More to come.