Young refugees from war-torn Ukraine were invited to take part in a print workshop – and got to see their work go on display in Diss Library.
On Friday, Paul Sharrock, a designermakers21 Lithographer, gave two workshops to the community, giving children aged six through twelve an introduction into old printmaking methods.
Sponsored by The Arts Society Diss, the workshops culminated with the children’s work going on show at the Church Street library.
Georgina Livingstone, an Arts Society volunteer, lauded the session’s impact. “It was a fascinating day and very moving,” she said.
“I met a mother from Odessa and another from Kherson, who only arrived three weeks ago.
“They both spent the afternoon getting to know each other, and their daughters were a real pleasure to meet.”
Similar events were organized and supported by the arts society and have taken place in schools across Norfolk and Suffolk.
With the goal of helping Ukrainian families who are displaced due to the ongoing conflict, and living with their host families in Diss, this latest project has been created.
It gave children the opportunity to get hands on with a number of printmaking techniques – with spectacular results.
“The children were shown how to design blueprints using natural and man-made materials, as well as making their own stencil designs,” explained Georgina. “Paul transformed these designs using an ultra violet lamp.
“When the pictures were developed, they were laid in water and the children watched with amazement as their designs turned deep blue and white.
“As arts volunteers, myself and Shirley Farrow were delighted to see how much the children enjoyed it.”
In collaboration with designermakers21, Norfolk Library Service and Ukrainian Family Support Leaders based out of Diss and Norfolk the work will continue to be displayed at the library until the end of the week.
An arts and crafts hub based in Diss, designermakers 21 is currently fighting to preserve its future as it attempts to raise £350,000 in the next year to buy the St Nicholas Street building which has been its home for the last decade.
As the clock is ticking designermakersCIO hopes to acquire the Victorian building. It will allow the public to access crafts skills and inspire creativity in the future.
To raise six figures, it has created a Save Our Story appeal. It hopes to do this through grants and fundraising. In early 2024, the building will be sold.
At the launch of the appeal, resident artist Yvonne Pratt said: “I have just had the wonderful opportunity to showcase with designermakers21 for the past three months and would just like to say l have been supported by this amazing collective group of makers for years.
“Not only does this amazing studio serve its local communities in many different ways, it has also been there to support small makers.
“I’m wishing everyone the very best of success in raising the funds needed and my thanks for my exposure as an artist.”