DrawingACollaboration is a pilot project carried out in Seacroft in association with LS14 Trust and Space2 Leeds. Funded by Victoria Gate fund and Leeds Cash Fund, we delivered four workshops where people talked, listened and drew. This took place at LS14 trust digital Lounge, Henry Barran Family Learning Centre with Space2 Fresh Women’s group Space 2’s The Men;s Room at Denis Healey Centre, a canal barge trip with a mix of people form east and west leeds and then a finale event at Seacroft Gala 2016.
The project was an opportunity to express feeling about what kind of world we want to live in and what is meaningful for each of us. It was also an opportunity to learn more about drawing, to socialise, talk, listen and think with others, to see the world around us and to see what we think encapsulated in pictures. We loved all the places and people we met and here is a some of the things we talked about in words and pictures.
What does culture mean to you?
Culture is art, drawing, a little bit music, dancing, it is friendly and nice communities, it is big green spaces to play in. Knitting and crochet – need to make a group and work on projects together doing arts and crafts.
For me its meditation – I go my own way now rather than Christianity. I think all the time.
Culture is face painting, synchronised swimming, swimming, sports, karate, kick boxing, animals, gymnastics, freedom for groups to meet and share common interests, cycling, playgroups, fashion, we should all dance everyday, and smile everyday, and eat together, abstract art, disco dancing, dog walking, the living museum where people from the community can dress up and bring in photos of their ancestors, community run garden.
Culture is resilience and it is people.
How could Leeds do better?
Allotment open days, safe road crossings everywhere, more community policeman, cctv that works so that our stuff doesn’t get nicked, more places for children to play out ( that isn’t burnt /broken by older youths), safety, return of party in the park and opera in the park events – ie. community events accessible to everyone not just affluent, more information about what is going on in our area, less cars, more trees outside primary schools, a treasure tree, longer time to cross roads with traffic lights ( phew!) more rainbows and glitter.
Develop the parks more in Seacroft and have more activities within, better entry points for wheelchairs that are accessible to even the wider wheelchairs- remove horse gates, I love this place. More things for young people to do, better transport and cheap so that old people can get out and about. More activities and events happening locally. The image of seacroft as a place where ‘here be dragons’ was mentioned –suggesting a want for the area to be held in higher esteem by residents and people outside the area.
‘If in doubt, build a goal post’ was also suggested as a potential solution that would work to create something to do for young people that can not be broken /burnt/ destroyed. One particular older lady talked a lot about heritage, community gardens and crafts and suggested ways these could bring people together.
What kind of world would you like to live in?
An ideal world has no fighting, sees people smiling.
The World according to me…everyone should be treated the same. This world is our only chance – be happy!
I want to live in a peaceful place. Lots of community events gathering people together. I want to see happy smiling faces and friendliness.
Carry on Loving. Peace (drawn as a tree with many people in a circle around it). I want to live in a World where we are protected from harm, where I have a chance and earn enough money not to remain in the poverty trap.
What do you love about your area?
The haunted house, butterflies and flowers near my house, my family and friends – family matters, the green spaces, resilience and perseverance in local people, everything – it couldn’t be better, the people.
