Arts and culture grants 2022

We are delighted to announce the artists and organisations that have been awarded a Make it Happen, Grant, our flagship grant programme for arts and culture projects in Waltham Forest. From skateboarding and design to photography, music and storytelling, these projects celebrate our amazing residents and the creative spirit that characterises our borough.

Find out more about all the successful projects here and follow @LBWFCulture to find out about all the great events and activities we have planned this year!

Blackhorse Workshop CIC – Maker Mornings 

Maker Mornings are a new weekly meet-and-make programme at Blackhorse Workshop,  formed in response to the challenges of isolation and loneliness within Waltham Forest. The sessions aim to create a supportive and social group, centred around making as a way to facilitate conversations and bring people together.

Designed to evolve, early sessions cover a range of making techniques using our wood and metalwork equipment and are supported by our technical team. As the week progressed, the group start to shape future sessions themselves, following their interests to define the programme and exploring new ways to create together.

Working in partnership with local organisations, Maker Mornings open-up access to the workshop and its equipment for more Waltham Forest residents, sharing the well-being benefits of making it in a friendly, welcoming environment.

Everyone on Boards – Artists on Boards 

An exhibition which will be a visual exploration of youth culture from the past and present through the eyes of the skateboarding community of Waltham Forest.

A photographic and artistic journey through the skate community which has developed a distinct visual language, occupying a significant position in youth culture for over 50 years. Lloyd Park, Cann Hall and other spots around Waltham Forest are focal points for skateboarders and artists from diverse backgrounds, nurturing creativity and encouraging integration and collaboration, and reflect the multicultural nature of the borough. 

Accompanying this exhibition will be a book published about our local skate scene. The book will comprise portraits by legendary skate photographer Wig Worland of local creatives, professionals and artists involved in the Waltham Forest skate scene from the ‘90s through to the current generation. The book delves into the impact skateboarding has had on various individuals and in developing a nurturing community. It will inspire the next generation, highlighting the success stories of skateboarders as successful professionals.

Khaled Hakim – Weaving Light Book Launch

Launch event for ‘Weaving Light’, a photo book exploring the woven art of Walthamstow resident Rezia Wahid MBE and with contributions by prize-winning authors. The event will take place at the William Morris Gallery and include readings from Sasha Dugdale and John Goodby, alongside an additional talk by Rezia Wahid.

Layla Rosa – Speak for the Trees

A participatory project exploring our human relationship with trees and forests through a process of education, research, participation and co-creation. Local artist Layla Rosa will work with students at Coppermill Primary School in Walthamstow through workshops at Organic Lea’s Hawkswood Nursery in Chingford, in turn creating an audio track with participants that are inspired by local ecology and the climate crisis. 

Leytonstone School – Good Things Will Grow 

A collaborative project with Bow Arts, students, parents and teachers from Leytonstone School, to design a permanent outdoor artwork. The project aims to promote engagement with the school community post covid and demonstrate the school ethos.

‘We are proud, a family, a community; we are citizens.
We work hard together, hands held, challenged to improve, and we improve every day.
We are the future; we shine bright; we are powerful beyond measure.’

Neeli Malik – 100 Days of Groceries

100 Days of Groceries is a love letter to our local greengrocers, fruit & veg stands, butchers, deli’s, fishmongers, and bakeries. Through a series of photography and interviews, this project seeks to tell and uplift the stories of the independently owned local establishments in the neighbourhood, culminating in an exhibition at 228 Chingford Road.

The photographs and interviews in this project all tell a variety of stories: stories of community strength; stories of business acumen and entrepreneurship. Stories touching on multicultural diversity represented by the food stores of an area. Stories about the experience of pandemic hardships. Stories of where they started and where they are going, and of hopes for the future.

 Sania Parvez – Unravel

Unravel sheds light on the layers of nothingness being a teenager in Leyton brings. It merges all the memories the artist experienced as a young girl growing up in pre-gentrified East London and captures the colours and textures through knitwear to celebrate the rich diversity that shaped them as a designer.

This one-off collection of knitwear explores the artist's personal conflicting roots through the choice of yarn and texture. Each piece will have a blend of upcycled (second-hand) yarn and luxury yarns such as cashmere/cotton to collide with the sustainable journey the artist once embarked upon growing up as a working-class teenager in Leyton and, in recent times, the impact of gentrification has had on the area. 

Sova Audio Systems – Sound in Light

Sound In Light is a three-day festival exploring and celebrating spatial sound through talks, workshops, multi-media installations and live performances. Sova Audio Systems will be taking over the Leyton-based venue Patchworks to bring together industry professionals and artists to showcase the various flavours of spatial sound using TiMax technology within a Funktion One setup.

The aim is to create an open-minded space in which we can learn about and experience the potential of multi-channel audio as an important artistic tool as well as spark curiosity and debate its potential social and emotional impacts. The organisation are offering the participating artists a two-day residency at their studio to work on bespoke live performance pieces and spatial DJ setups in preparation for the event. These will be focused on developing a deep awareness of spatial sound concepts and their practical applications within their art practice.

Stoneydown Park Primary – We are One 

A collaboration between students at Stoneydown Park Primary School in Walthamstow and artist Samir Malik. The project has been designed to bring students together and showcase the diversity and creativity that characterises their school – this will culminate in the creation of a new 2d mural on the front façade of the school.

 Waltham Forest Antigua, Barbuda and Dominica Twinning Association – Telling Our Story

Creative Writing Workshops led by a professional facilitator and published writer Jane Ulysses Grell, are hosted monthly at the William Morris Gallery.  A family-friendly series of workshops where individuals can participate by composing and reciting their poems and prose, leading to an anthology of selected works and performances in Autumn 2022. 

Walthamstow Trades Hall – Walthamstow Working Women’s Club

Walthamstow Working Women’s Club is a jam-packed programme of events curated, produced and led by women. This summer we are highlighting contributions to the arts from women through a diverse and exciting programme developed with everyone in mind. 

We invite members and non-members alike to join us in our retro vibes venue in central Walthamstow for a broad range of events highlighting talent with local, national and international profiles. Expect everything from tea dances to spoken word, craft workshops to life drawing sessions and live music this summer. 

Women Over 50 film Festival – Moving Pictures 

Moving Pictures is a touring programme visiting care homes and community venues in Waltham Forest throughout 2022,  connecting people with film, friendship and fun. This innovative project, led by Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF), invites you to a mini film festival, to talk about your favourite movie memories and to create your own film poster.
 

Fellowship Square is a new and open public space at the heart of Waltham Forest. It belongs to the communities of Waltham Forest and we want to invite all our residents to use it as a space to bring people together and celebrate the diversity of our borough. Following the official opening on July 15th 2021 and a Summer programme of activity, we have invested an additional £40k into projects taking place across Spring/Summer 2022. 

The Blair Academy – Tea Dance with a Twist

Tea dances are a much-loved event, and The Blair Academy are pleased to bring their very own Hip Hop version to Fellowship square for older adults in Waltham Forest to enjoy. 

They’ll kick the day off with one of their signature chair-based dance and fitness sessions followed by a delicious afternoon tea. This is a great chance to move and groove to the best soul, funk, disco and hip hop tracks from the 1960s right through to the current day. All abilities are welcome, and their approach to fitness is fun! 

The Blair Academy love to reminisce on music and memories from across the ages whilst teaching people brand new moves. There will also be a delicious afternoon tea curated by local chefs following on from the dance session where you’ll have the chance to socialise, meet new people and enjoy some tasty treats. 

They would love you to join them for this extra special event, as they celebrate their fourth year in business. To sign up for a place for yourself or someone you know please contact The Blair Academy. Booking is essential. 

Phone: 02086385603
Email: theblairacademy@gmail.com 
Website: The Blair Academy website 

Choir Connexion – Fellowship in the Square 

A flagship performance in August 2022 from the London Community Gospel Choir. LCGC was established in Walthamstow 40 years ago and is the capital’s longest-running gospel choir.  They will be delivering an hour-long event in collaboration with students at Walthamstow Academy, having also performed at the opening of the square in Summer 2021. 

Whatmore? Productions – Sumida River in Sign Language

Brought to you by Whatmore? Productions, Verity Lane’s scintillating show ‘Sumida River in Sign Language’ is a multimedia reimagining of the 650-year-old Japanese Noh play, 'Sumidagawa', which tells the story of a mother searching for her lost son, but all she finds is a ghost child. This production of ‘Sumida River in Sign Language’ is inclusive and can be enjoyed by both d/Deaf and hearing audiences.

This dance drama weaves together elements of video art, sound art and installation, as well as a live tapestry of percussive sounds, Noh movement and Butoh. Chisato Minamimura brings the role of the grieving Mother to life; Brian Duffy’s portrayal of the Ferryman offers a welcome comedic edge, while Beibei Wang heightens the drama with extraordinary drumming and dancer Stephanie Daw performs the ethereal ghost. The Mound prop is made by local artist Harriott Knuckles.

East London Classics Summer School – Classics in the Community 

The East London Classics Summer School will be running a series of events to promote the study of the Classical world. We aim to build awareness of Classics and its relevance in our lives today as well as widen its accessibility.  We welcome anyone with an interest in Greek and Roman culture! 

Workshop 1: Ancient Greek theatre mask making with a focus on expression and use of colour to gain an insight into the performance of theatre over two thousand years ago and its impact on modern drama. 

Workshop 2: We will be offering a mosaic-making workshop to highlight artistic skills as well as understanding the importance of art and the zeitgeist of Roman society. 

Workshop 3: We will also be offering fun, interactive sessions on Classical Greek where children will recognise the root of English words and enjoy writing their names in the ancient Greek alphabet. Fellowship Square Arts and Culture Grants Marketing and Comms Overview

Workshop 4: We will also be offering fun, interactive sessions on Latin where children will be introduced to Minimus, the ‘mini-mouse’, who has made Latin cool! 

Participants will be provided with materials for each workshop as well as an activity pack to take home with them after each session.

East London Shakespeare Festival – Twelfth Night and Community Engagement Programme

Welcome to 1980s Illyria! East London Shakespeare Festival (ELSF) is bringing its rip-roaring take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night to Fellowship Square & other East London outdoor venues this summer. Combining the wonderful storytelling of the Bard with a flavour of East London culture, this new production brings pure, unadulterated escapism with live 80s classics in picturesque outdoor settings.

Transforming areas across Waltham Forest, Hackney and Redbridge into the world of Illyria, including the sensational Fellowship Square in Walthamstow, this production will give local residents a memorable and unique experience of Shakespeare’s much-loved classic tale. A festival vibe is encouraged with gates opening an hour before the show, pre-show workshops including party headband-making and the opportunity to picnic on site. 

For audiences feeling brave you may even get to join the cast on stage at the end to have a boogie in the gorgeous Fellowship Square power-jet fountains at the end of the show!

The production will also feature a community ensemble of local residents. There are Pay-What-You-Can performances and heavily reduced school matinees for local Schools with a 20-minute pre-show workshop.

Ticket price: £3.00 to £12.50

Sweet Paper Creations – Make your Own Smash Pinata

These are fun, creative, one-hour workshops that anyone of any age and creative background can enjoy. Perfect for families with young children or for a group of friends who want to try their hand at something different.  

You will receive a blank hollow base and all the resources to make and decorate a piñata of your own design. 

For those who can, the action of smashing the piñata is great fun and can be a great activity for parties or small get-togethers. However, for those who desire to do so, we can help them to make a ribbon-pull, trapdoor piñata, which does not require breaking. 

We will also raffle one of our lovely piñatas by the end of the event. All money collected will go towards the continuation of delivering “Make It and Break It” Piñata workshops that are specifically run to help those dealing with mental health issues.

Rezia Wahid – Weaving the Trees 

Weaving the Trees is a family-friendly pop-up activity taking place by the young row of trees aligning the path that leads down to Fellowship Square from Forest Rd. The weave will be created with colourful recycled textile strips and yarns along the length of the trees creating a bright textile. The participants will become part of the performance with Rezia, a dancer and musician!

Sketch Appeal CIC – Summer Sketchfest

Join Sketch Appeal for a joyful weekend of communal creativity on Fellowship Square! There'll be a mix of fun, easy and inclusive art workshops and drop-in activities.  Suitable for ages 6 to 60. There'll also be a chance to get your portrait drawn by local artists.

Waltham Forest Pride – Waltham Forest Pride 2022

After a two-year hiatus, Waltham Forest Pride returns on Saturday July 30. Bigger and better than ever, WFPride 22 promises to be the greatest LGBTQI+ celebration the borough’s ever seen. Beginning at 12noon and running until 8pm in Fellowship Square (Town Hall), there’ll be community and food stalls, a picnic, speakers, and top cabaret performers plus much, much more. The event will be FREE, but ticketed.  We can’t wait to welcome you to WFPride! It’s going to be rainbow-tastic!