Community

Drawing on her diverse practice, spanning illustration, sculpture, willow weaving and upcycling, Ildiko Nagy led an engaging and reflective session that not only celebrated these enduring customs but also considered their relevance today. Together, participants delved into seasonal rituals, examining the cultural narratives that have shaped the role of women in relation to agriculture, food production, and the natural world.

The workshop created space for storytelling and personal exchange, encouraging participants to reflect on how tradition, value, and identity are expressed, and preserved, through cultural practice.

The session culminated in the collaborative making of a traditional Harvest Wreath, crafted from willow, wheat, corn, hay, sunflowers, and ribbons, a symbolic act of continuity, care, and celebration.

Participants were invited to engage with the complex nature of trauma and its lasting impact on memory, drawing on Dr Milic’s extensive experience working with survivors of war, torture, and violence. Through a thoughtful combination of theoretical discussion and experiential exercises, the session offered a deeper understanding of healing processes and introduced practical tools for integrating traumatic experiences into a cohesive narrative of personal growth and resilience.

Milic’s workshop took place alongside the launch of two thought-provoking installations developed during her residency: Text Illumination and Wrappery. Text Illumination examined themes of post-conflict recovery and reconciliation, using light and language to reflect on the fragile process of rebuilding trust in divided societies. Wrappery, an evolving work that began at the Croatia Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, invited interaction as a means of preserving memory, creating space for reflection and connection.

During the workshop, Lora Krasteva guided participants through movement-based activities, using dance as a tool for storytelling, reflection, and connection. The session culminated in a short performance created with the group, offering space for collective expression and creativity.

Children took part in a parallel programme of games and seasonal crafts, while families were invited to reconnect over tea, coffee, and homemade cakes. A live recorder performance added a musical element to the afternoon, enhancing the sense of shared experience.

This workshop provided an opportunity to engage with Eastern European cultural traditions in a way that felt both grounded and exploratory. It created space for participants to connect with one another, express themselves artistically, and engage with cultural heritage in a meaningful and accessible way.

Through storytelling, drawing, collage, and character creation, participants reflected on their journeys, whether from nearby or far away, and expressed these narratives visually and collaboratively.

Under Maggie’s guidance, the group produced a unique zine that not only represented individual stories but also wove these into a shared cultural heritage, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

Maggie Stick’s approach, rooted in her identity as an “artivist” from the Polish diaspora, emphasised the intersection of art and social justice. Her practice, spanning performance, prints, zines, installations, protest, and community engagement, informed the workshops’ focus on themes of identity, migration, displacement, and systemic inequalities.

The final session, led by Lithuanian lens-based artist Ieva Baltaduonytė, formed the final aspect of the Our Stories: Creative Journeys of Migrant Women project. Baltaduonytė, whose practice is shaped by her own experiences of migration and displacement, focuses on the psychological impact of migration, particularly the themes of home, identity, and in-betweenness. Having spent seventeen years living in Dublin before returning to Lithuania, her perspective brought a deep sense of authenticity and emotional insight to the workshop.

The session created a supportive and inclusive environment in which women could explore their cultural identity and express their strength and beauty. Participants worked with a makeup artist to create looks inspired by traditional Slavic aesthetics, and also crafted handmade flower crowns, a powerful symbol of femininity and heritage across the region.

The workshop culminated in a portrait photography session by Baltaduonytė, with each participant invited to step into their own visual narrative. These portraits, capturing both individual expression and shared cultural reference, were later exhibited in the local library, offering the wider community an opportunity to engage with the project and reflect on the stories and identities it represented.

This workshop provided a space for connection, self-expression, and cultural affirmation, honouring the resilience of women and the richness of Slavic heritage.