A range of arts and photography events mark this year’s Refugee Week at Newcastle University – with a focus on celebrating the “talent and contribution” refugees and asylum seekers make to the city and the wider region.
The Newcastle Chronicle is promoting the university’s school of arts and cultures, which is hosting an event called Sanctuary Songs in the King Edward VII Building, the Long and Ex Libris galleries and the Atrium between June 22 and June 29.
There will also be an exhibition titled Underneath, Within, Beyond, featuring prints and film produced by those who have experienced being refugees. Artists from Skimstone Arts Shahor Omar and Ako Ismail also contribute portraits of “ordinary” people in the region.
Those involved in both exhibitions will discuss their work at 1.30pm on June 22 in the Long Gallery. Throughout the week, youth charity Headliners – which works with marginalised young people using journalism and media skills to amplify their voices – will also be exhibiting work produced by young people from North Tyneside and Newcastle.
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers who have been working with charities Rainbow Home and Tyneside and Northumberland Mind will also exhibit art on the theme of exploring mental and emotional health. Art group Building Bridges, who are working with Newcastle University lecturer and artist Theresa Easton, are also taking part.
A range of other events – including workshops run by the North East Solidarity and Teaching group – are taking place, while the university’s students’ union is hosting a celebration on Wednesday afternoon from 1pm until 3pm.
Academics including Professor Susanne Fengler and Dr Vivienne Francis will give talks on the topic of Sanctuary Songs on Tuesday, while university food and drink outlets are also encouraging customers to donate £2 to support refugee and asylum seeker community by buying a “sanctuary drink”.