Thank you to everyone who is interested in Collaborating with us, as we engage in the work of pursuing shared aims for Unity In Community projects.
The previous newsletter prompted new connections with a wide range of Creative Industries advocates from all sectors who work in various backgrounds where change happens. (see attached clips at bottom of post - exploring the world of people with Down Syndrome).
"The arts has the power to challenge societal perceptions of disability and promote understanding and acceptance. This is the challenge working together as creative thinkers, to be curious, courageous, committed, and to connect with all our lives, our culture and community."
Kevyn Gammond
MASLab co- organiser Dave Shuck shares his creative thoughts - beliefs - story and interests bringing about positive change by networking with people at events or on social media who share this ethos of hope and collectivity.
MASLab advisers and collaborators are in full swing with Dave Shuck busily interacting with them on the telephone, face to face and promoting, sharing and signposting their activities on social media; where Tony Cealy is a tour de-force across London (3) Facebook if you want to see best practice in the use of arts and drama for community cohesion and continuity his the link and be amazed.
Likewise Billa Nanra has been attending high profile events alongside the Prem Rawat Foundation Global team in Belgium https://tprf.org/peace-education-program/corrections/ and continues to host a weekly Peace Webinar alongside the Celebrate Life Events team in London. https://www.celebrate-life.co.uk/
Recently Dave attended the Anti-Apartheid Legacy arts event https://lnkd.in/e5ifk4Wf where Peter Haine shared his recollections on the early struggles and reminded everyone ‘not to forget’; fantastic artwork on display in the crypt of St Matins in the field in Trafalgar Square; which will tour other UK cities throughout the year.
The Tutu Foundation/Youth Futures team https://youtu.be/hCafeO8WcFk are working closely with community based anti-knife crime and youth support activists, and some pretty enlightened police officers from the MET and positive reports back from their latest workshop in Islington augur well. https://tutufoundationuk.org/
The relationship between Tutu and Rawat Foundations is a strong one and tprf are currently working alongside ex-gang leaders in South Africa to encourage more peaceful community development, are now designated suppliers to all South African correction Centres and working with those engaged in rehabilitation initiatives. https://www.premrawat.com/the-history-of-prem-rawat-in-south-africa/
Riverside House https://www.riverside-house.org.uk/ continue to prosper in terms of funding and most lately deservedly received yet another prestigious award.
Martin Wall is a local writer, with a prolific history over 20 years (see historyeducation.co.uk, for details of his publishing history). He is interested in the history of culture, industrial activity, religion and education. His interest in institutions and communitarian networks has extended over many decades. He has a special concern and interest in vulnerable groups without access to power, and has published innovative work in academia on minority stress issues.
Martin is active in the local cultural and educational scene, because, not in spite of, his disability, and is seeking to nurture a new, more tolerant and creative future for our community, society, and hopefully, our wonderful world!
Jellymans Heritage Arts Charity
Puxton Lane, Kidderminster
JHAC emerging projects will be setting up resilient hubs of culture and innovation. The JHAC arts community facilitator is Sam Davies and he will be part of the specific creative team working in-house on their community projects and campaigns. JHAC will be posting more information in the coming weeks so please keep an eye out.
Tired of Netflix?
Lume Cinema
Lume cinema will be broadening the appeal and scope of what cinema has to offer. If all goes according to plan an award-winning film and media content producer called Sachia Mooney (see MAS Lab - Collaborators), will be reaching out to the community with something for everyone as the Lume Cinema's Art Director Head of Business. Sachia is taking overall responsibility for the running of the Kidderminster cinema and will be keeping the community up to date with the latest films and productions.
MAS Lab Kev Gammond will be in future talks with Lume management to bring awareness to social issues, take action, and create change for artists and film makers with disabilities and illnesses, who have long been making work while managing various levels of confinement, limited mobility, and lack of institutional support to share their work.
All at MASLab wish on going success of the Lume mission. Nothing quite compares to the sheer power of the cinema experience.