Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launches ‘My Soul Gallery’ exhibition in partnership with Creative Minds and Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network

Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council have worked in partnership to deliver weekly art sessions for adults and children from the borough’s refugee community. These sessions were put in place to provide an outlet for creativity, as well as many opportunities to share conversation with like-minded individuals within the borough. The programme has resulted in an exhibition which is a colourful and thought-provoking presentation of participants’ talent and achievements. Creative Minds is a social enterprise and nationwide community of artists who deliver fun, therapeutic and engaging art sessions to people of all ages in venues across the country.

Each week the Creative Minds artists guided participants through different methods of artistic expression.                                       
Jessica Brooks, Refugee Network Manager at Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network said,

“The art teachers had a really person-centred approach to the sessions, and encouraged the participants to use their imaginations and express their feelings through the artwork they created. This gave participants the opportunity to reflect on emotions in a calm and safe setting, while also exploring many different art mediums with a great range of resources available.”

Councillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community and Wellbeing Committee at the council said,

“Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network do an excellent job in building up a strong circle of support for those who are often trying to move away from upsetting experiences towards a more positive future. It was my pleasure to support these art sessions, in which artists from Creative Minds created an inclusive and nurturing environment which allowed participants to not only learn new skills but build self-worth”.

Georgiana Dacombe, an artist from Creative Minds, added,

“Being creative with art allows you to be part of the bigger picture and still remain yourself in ways that are dynamic, positive, revelatory and uplifting. It's what we can do together that is so inspiring, that defines us in the way that war can't. We love what the group have created and hope you will too.”

Funding for the project came from the council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage and Community Development departments through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Homes for Ukraine scheme. This project supports the council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy and its
commitment to nurturing creative talent and to creating a thriving and inclusive creative and cultural outreach programme within the borough. It also continues to support the work of the Community Development Team.

You can visit ‘My Soul Gallery’ at Bourne Hall, Ewell and The Town Hall, Epsom, free of charge, from 1 to 31 May 2024.