An interdisciplinary group art exhibition inspired by our relationship with nature, with an extensive, informative and engaging programme of accompanying talks, concerts, workshops and film presentations. Suitable for families.
Exhibition open 12noon – 6.30pm daily
Thursday 14 March
EXHIBITION OPENING 6.30-9pm
7pm Opening concert
Singer-songwriter Lucinda Sieger presents songs inspired by nature. Accompanied by Ian Chappory, percussion.
8pm Poetic Migration
A performance piece by guest artists Jordina Ros and Pere Estadella, Catalonia
Friday 15 March
6-8pmStorytelling
Share your own story of how you connect with nature.
Facilitated by Judit Prieto of Art from the Heart, curators of the exhibition.
Free workshop. Donations box. Drinks provided. Book a place
Saturday 16 March
11am-1pmMake your own instrument!
Workshop for all ages, working with natural and recycled materials. Facilitated by Mauro Lacandia
Phone or text 07799411587 to register.
Suggested donation £5/3. Book a place
11am-3pmSustainable Market
Stalls with great organic products and information stalls about sustainable living.
3-5pm Tree of your Soul Dance Workshop
Suitable for experienced dancers as well as beginners. Taking inspiration from paintings organised by Mazzilli Dance Theatre
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
5.30-8.30pmShort Film Festival
With contributions about the exhibition theme by artist filmmakers from the UK and beyond. Featuring an exclusive scenes preview of the documentary “Sisters of Wilderness” Sisters of the Wilderness tells the story of five young Zulu women from underprivileged backgrounds going into the wilderness for the first time in their lives on a self-discovery journey, which offers them an opportunity to grow and heal, and serves as a reminder that we are intimately linked to nature and what we do to her we do to ourselves.. Producer Ronit Shapiro will be present for Q&A
Free, with a suggested donation of £3. Book a place
Sunday 17 March
11am-1pmNature blossoms: Celebrate Spring!
Join Ken, Manager of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, for a guided tour, he’ll show you the glorious variety of spring bulbs, woodland and grassland wildflowers blooming around Mile End Park. He’ll also give you an insight into their ecological value, food value and share a bit of their folklore!
Free walk. Donations box. Book a place
4-6pmPoetry Workshop by Newham Poetry Group (English speaking)
See description below
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
6-8pmPoetry workshop by Newham Poetry Group (Spanish speaking)
Each session will be inspired by the environment around the Pavilion. We will explore the relationship between people and nature and also add other elements and techniques which assist in making poetry and creative writing a powerful tool of self-expression We will spend one hour writing and one hour presenting some results. All abilities welcome. No experience necessary. Both workshops run by Sonia Quintero, Founder of the Newham Poetry Group
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
8-9pmPoetry and Music
Workshop participants can perform their pieces to an audience.
With guitarist Tuomo Karjalainen.
Thursday 21 March
7.30-9.30pmWelcome Spring Concert: A Wonderful World
Pieces to welcome the new season by 24 singers of the Crofton Singers Choir.
Free concert. Donation box.
Friday 22 March
6-9pmStories of Women: Interactive Life Drawing Workshop
Stories of Women is a completely model-centred life modelling and drawing experience, presented by Spirited Bodies. This life drawing performance invites you into the branches of Esther’s life as she explores her roots, untangles the threads and gets to know her knots. We have many ancestors and we awake them when we are truly alive.
Some drawing materials provided.
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
Saturday 23 March
11am-12.30pmAwake in Nature
An experiential workshop to help deepen our connection with the natural world. Spending time both indoors and outdoors (Mile End Park), we will explore our relationship to nature, developing a renewed vitality and sense of belonging in the other-than-human world. We will work with a focus on using our senses and inhabiting the environment mindfully. By gently contacting our childhood wonder and delight in our natural surroundings, we may discover that this whole planet is in fact, our home. Facilitated by Jo Goldsmid.
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
2-4pmUpcycle!
Fun and creative workshop for all ages. Some of the things you can learn to make: Wallets out of juice cartons. Jewellery out of magazine paper. Book marks or fridge magnets out of scrap cardboard and textiles. Pencil pots or plant pots from yoghurt pots and textiles. Bags from old t-shirts. Facilitated by ecoActive
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
6-7pmAuthor’s Reading
Rachael Ball reads from her illustrated book “The Wolf”. Wolf is a graphic novel about confronting childhood grief and overcoming the loss of a loved one. With Q&A session
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
Sunday 24 March
11am-1pmCollagraph
Printmaking workshop for all ages using leaves and sustainable inks. See description below.
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
4-5.30pmMonoprint
Printmaking workshop for all ages. See description below.
These workshops are great for beginners and those experienced alike, or just anyone creative wanting to have a go with printmaking techniques. They are fun inspiring hands-on course course that support participants to experience a range of alternative and unconventional processes. Everyone will experiment and create their plates and prints using unusual materials and media. Materials are all included and participants will be able to take home their templates and prints.
Both workshops are facilitated by artist printmaker Sisetta Zappone
Free workshop. Donations box. Book a place
5.30-6.30pmThe Importance of Trees
Presented by Sarah Shorley the Woodland Trust, and presenting the Tree Charter. The Charter for Trees, Woods and People sets out the principles for a society in which people and trees can stand stronger together. The Tree Charter was launched in Lincoln Castle on 6 November 2017; the 800th anniversary of the 1217 Charter of the Forest.
Free event. Donations box. Book a place
CLOSING CEREMONY 6.30-9pm
7pm We Dance into the Forest
Young Amici, an inclusive London dance company, have created a short performance based on the themes of the exhibition.
8pm Closing Concert
Sounds of upliftment by the Crofton Singers Choir