This weekend, St James’ by the Park, Shirley is providing the local community with a chance to reflect on the past year and reconnect with one another through an art exhibition focusing on the theme of the pandemic.
Over recent months St James’ by the Park has collected a variety of artwork that has been created by members of the church and local community. The art will be displayed at a free exhibition in the church building from the 9th-11th July.
Local people of all ages have created pieces of pandemic-inspired artwork including paintings, drawings, models, and poetry. Amongst the local creations, visitors can gaze at an eclectic combination of landscapes, cityscapes and paintings depicting families reconnecting. Some works look at nature while other pieces express the isolation and loneliness felt by many during the pandemic.
The Reverend Georgia Condell, Curate at St James’ by the Park said:
“We are excited to showcase locally-made artwork and provide our community with a creative outlet following a difficult year. We have all spent so long apart and I am pleased that the local church can offer a chance to reconnect with friends and family.”
The Right Reverend, Debbie Sellin, Bishop of Southampton said:
“Throughout the past year, many have experienced isolation and loneliness. The exhibition, created by and for the local community, is a wonderful space for people to reflect on both the challenges of the pandemic and the positives of the past year. Our church buildings offer a peaceful space for self-reflection and for bringing people together, it is great that we can share Jesus’ teachings of love and hospitality with our neighbours in this way.”
The exhibition is free and open to the public from 9th-11th July at St. James by the Park Church St. James’ Road, Shirley. There will also be an interactive area where families and children can express their creative side and paint their own works of art.
