Black History Month creative workshop was a massive success!
Following the success of the inaugural event in 2022, we were excited to welcome back artist, educationalist and University of Cambridge graduate Joshua Obichere to Robinson College to host more fantastic creative workshops in celebration of Black History Month on Thursday 19th October 2023.
As usual, Joshua worked his magic, drawing students in and encouraging them to express themselves creatively, even if they didn’t think of themselves as being necessarily creative or artistic. Feedback showed the participants really valued the opportunity to be creative and support their own wellbeing.
The workshop ran throughout the afternoon in an open part of the College and staff and students were welcome to drop in whenever they were able. It was fantastic to see how people who were not necessarily sure about taking part in a creative workshop found themselves lost in their work and enjoying some creative freedom and downtime. In the evening Joshua hosted a display of work and a talk, where the students spoke of their experience of participating in the workshop, and spoke powerfully of the meanings and stories behind the art they had created.
Joshua was enthused about the way the day had gone, and how he and the Robinson wellbeing team had been able to build on the success of last year's inaugural event, saying...
Feedback...
"I loved the bit of creativity that it brought to everyone's day - you rarely get an opportunity to get in one place with lots of great people and be creative celebrating Black History & Culture!"
Feedback...
"It was great sitting in an open space meeting others in a low pressure environment whilst being creative"
Feedback...
"It was a great break from the library!"
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"Nice to do something creative and different with a super friendly and enthusiastic leader"
Feedback...
"I'll take away more knowledge about black history...and realising that I actually like doing arts every now and again!"
Amazing creativity...
Hard at work...
Powerful designs...
Evening event...
The themes of the workshop were also reflected in a display of key texts that were put on display in the Robinson College library by our Library and Archive Manager, Judith Brown.
The whole Robinson community would like to thank everyone who was involved in pulling this event together, especially Joshua and our Head of Wellbeing, Karen Tate. Special thanks also go to the Warden's EA and the operational departments for all their time in the planning, set up and running of the event - it could not have happened without them! And of course to our amazing Robinson students for participating so openly and creatively. We are already looking forward to next year's event!
*Image above shows Karen Tate, Head of Wellbeing at Robinson College and Joshua Obichere