Pilgrims Hospices and The Beaney collaborate on art exhibition
What makes you unique? At Pilgrims Hospices we spend a lot of time finding out what matters to each of our patients as individuals, so that we give them the care that is right for them. With this in mind, we decided to ask children across east Kent to think about what makes them special and to create a work of art that expresses their individuality – what makes them unique.
‘Self Portrait’ by Alice Zhang
In 2020, Pilgrims ran an art competition for primary and secondary schools in east Kent that asked ‘What makes you unique?’ to coincide with Dying Matters Awareness Week. The exhibition was postponed due to COVID-19, so shortlisted entries will now be on display in the Front Room at The Beaney, Canterbury from 3 July-1 August 2021.
This is an amazing opportunity for children to have their artwork shown in an exhibition that will be seen by over 10,000 visitors.
Susan Hambidge, Senior Education and Training Administrator at Pilgrims Hospices, said:
“I have been overwhelmed at the response to What makes you unique? It has been a joy looking through the thoughtful and thought-provoking artworks entered by a wide variety of schools across the region. I hope everyone who visits the exhibition is moved to reflect on what matters to them and why it’s important to talk about it.”
A judging panel chose the shortlisted entries and will choose the winners. All prize winners will receive a framed certificate, and their school will win a selection of art materials generously sponsored by The Pelegrin Trust.
Paul Russell, Programming Officer at The Beaney, added:
“As an organisation that puts children and health and wellbeing at the forefront of what we do, we are delighted to host an exhibition of artwork by east Kent schoolchildren organised by Pilgrims Hospices. Valuing one’s (and others’) individuality and encouraging conversations about relevant issues such as end of life care is vital, and we are very much looking forward to a thought-provoking, lively, and unique exhibition from these talented young people.”
Judging panel
Casey Brett is a practising artist in photography and film and an award-winning lecturer, currently working at Ashford College.
Pauline Davis has a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art and is currently Chairman of The Arts Society Canterbury.
Christopher Jones has a BA in Fine Art specialising in site-specific temporary installations and community art engagement, and he is the Wellbeing Practitioner Team Leader at Pilgrims Hospices.
Sue Sharp, Director of Income Generation and Marketing, Pilgrims Hospices.
Emma Thomson studied Graphic Design before going on to write and illustrate 159 children’s books, including the much-loved Felicity Wishes titles.
Mandy Williams, former Head of Education and Training at Pilgrims Hospices.
Each year Pilgrims Hospices give care and comfort to over 2,500 people in east Kent who are coming to terms with an illness that sadly cannot be cured. The charity support patients to live life as well as possible until the very end, free from pain and distress.
16th October 2020
Pilgrims Hospices preview students artwork as part of HeArt of the City – Canterbury
Canterbury Festival has joined forces with community groups, charities, schools, colleges, universities and artists to create a city-wide art exhibition during this year’s Festival. Taking place from 17 – 31 October, the HeArt of the City Arts Trail will celebrate creativity and highlight the important role it plays in health and wellbeing. Many of this year’s artworks were created as part of lockdown projects led by Kent organisations – connecting the community when it was at its most isolated.
The Festival is thrilled to be working with so many local organisations and artists including Pilgrims Hospices, Catching Lives, L’Arche, Future Foundry, Canterbury College and many more.
Over two weeks visit the King’s Mile Community Photo Exhibition and vote for your favourite image of Abstract Canterbury. Explore artworks created by Catching Lives including their lockdown Art & Wellbeing Box Project and Schools’ Competition.
Pilgrims Hospices preview work created by local school children that will feature as part of What Makes You Unique? – a project that encourages young people to express their individuality. The digital screens at Whitefriars will display poems by the shortlisted poets of this year’s Canterbury Festival Under 18s Poetry Competition.
L’Arche Kent will be exhibiting the work of clients celebrating the positive power of creativity. Bounce Vintage on St Peter’s Street celebrates Future Foundry’s waste-free fashion project Nothing to Waste (in a Pandemic) – innovative fashion concepts created by a plethora of artists from salvaged clothing.
Canterbury School of Visual Arts at Canterbury College responds to the theme of Canterbury in an exhibition at 15-16 Guildhall Street, exploring the history and culture of the City. Animate Arts exhibit a floral piece made by children during lockdown as part of the Art Builder project and featured in a virtual reality film.
HMV will be home to Filling the void, a collaboration between youth projects Neon After School Club, Motion Alpha Dance Company, Spires Academy and Kent based digital arts company Cybersaur Arts. Animate Arts will also exhibit a floral piece made by children during lockdown as part of the Art Builder project and featured in a virtual reality film.
The programme widens with artists from across Kent exhibiting with Ceramic Art Dover, the Umbrella Centre, Espressions, Hersden Community Centre, Folkestone Museum, and the Dover SmArt Project participating with exhibitions in windows in Burgate, Longmarket and the High Street.
Pick up a map outside of the Canterbury Festival office or download it from their website to start exploring the HeArt of the City Arts Trail. All artworks are exhibited in window spaces and will be available to view during daylight hours from 17 – 31 October. You can also share photos of your favourite artworks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by tagging #HeArtCanterbury
Canterbury Festival would like to thank the generosity of participating artists, organisations, estate agents and landlords for making the HeArt of the City Arts Trail possible.
For more information visit canterburyfestival.co.uk or call the Festival office on 01227 457568.
Pilgrims Hospices cares for more than 2,500 local people each year, free of charge, during the most challenging time in their lives. They offer care and support in people’s own homes, in the community and in their inpatient units as well as running a 24-hour advice line.
