Creative writing workshops for Syrian refugees
Participants: Syrian refugees and individuals from Pontypridd
Lead artist(s): Barrie Llewelyn
Location: Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf
Further info: The project will bring together Syrian refugees and local individuals to participate in creative writing workshops. Working together, participants will experiment with language and creativity to produce an exhibition of posters, which could consist of poetry, flash fiction or non-fiction. The posters will be exhibited in Oriel y Bont, a gallery located on the Treforest campus of the University of South Wales in spring 2020. The visual output will be accompanied by audio recordings of the conversation participants have had while the work was being crafted. Visual artists studying at the University will also respond to the project.
About Barrie Llewelyn: Barrie is a short-story and non-fiction writer. Her collection, Gather Gold and other stories was published in 2015 by Opening Chapter. She has edited several anthologies of short stories.
Barrie teaches creative writing at the University of South Wales and has also worked in community education with vulnerable adults and within schools. She has helped many students to attain their dreams of publication, and she passionately believes in the power of creativity to improve the quality of life for groups and individuals. She has recently qualified as a coach and mentor (ILM Level 7 qualification) in order to build on this aspect of her work.
Artist’s quote:
“We should never underestimate writing’s other power – the power to know ourselves really well and to help us understand the world we find ourselves in. A creative writing workshop may well enhance integration by bringing different sectors of the community together in a spirit of learning, development and understanding.”