Art and gardening came together this summer in Newham, reports Lorraine Tapper

A person with an open pad sits in a sunny allotment — Eleanor Pearce

A creative collaborative partnership between Loop Labs, Eastside Community Heritage and Eleanor Pearce Arts over the summer provided Newham residents with the opportunity to combine art with gardening workshops.

The Up the Allotments programme explored the heritage of domestic food growth and allotments in East London.

National Lottery Heritage Funding made it possible for this project to be offered free with all materials and refreshments to the participants. There were lots of free opportunities as part of the programme, across art, gardening, and heritage.

Heritage Art sessions were held over three locations: East Ham Library, Manor Park Community Garden and Reynolds Avenue allotments.

Participants had the opportunity to enjoy free workshops and events with local speakers on food growing and local history on domestic food growth.

Eleanor, pictured, offered guidance to participants as they developed their skills in the combined elements of still life, portraiture, and landscapes in beautiful, natural environments.

In a relaxed setting people shared food stories and their own experiences of domestic gardening at home or on an allotment in the UK or abroad.

The art sessions were for beginners and the more experienced artist. A social and congenial atmosphere was created led by local Artist Eleanor Pearce who provided inspiration for people to ‘see’ their environment with new eyes.

East Ham Library was the site for creating a collage to be displayed in a Showcase Exhibition at the Library on the 3rd October. There was a diverse group of artists of all ages and abilities creating fruit, vegetables, animals, birds, and allotment pieces which has produced a dynamic and colourful collage.

For more information about the Showcase visit East Ham Library.

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