RemakerSpace celebrates diversity through enabling creativity

RemakerSpace recently hosted a series of creative workshops engaging ethnically diverse groups of young women and girls in artistic endeavors and textile repurposing.

Based in Cardiff University’s flagship social sciences hub sbarc|spark, RemakerSpace is a community, education, and business engagement centre dedicated to circular economy and product lifecycle extension.

Led by creative entrepreneur and artist Sam Hussain, the workshops hosted at RemakerSpace encouraged active participation in a range of activities, with a special emphasis on Arabic and South Asian arts, including Henna and Batik.

Sam Hussain said: “RemakerSpace provided the opportunity for young girls with additional needs to come together and practice mindfulness through the medium of Henna and Batik. They explored their creativity and self-expression while practicing fine motor skills and building confidence in pattern creation on their skin. They compared their creative process while connecting and supporting one another.”

She added: “Some of our participants were ethnically diverse women who wouldn’t normally have access to the RemakerSpace and sbarc|spark due to family commitments and where they were in their journey. This was a great opportunity for them to feel connected to the space and the people involved in the workshops.”

Dr Anna Skeels, a Research Fellow at sbarc|spark, played a key role in initiating the workshops by connecting RemakerSpace with the artist Sam Hussain. Sam is one of four artists working together on the ‘Rekindle and Inspire’ project which focuses on artist and community wellbeing and mental health.

RemakerSpace was founded with support from the Welsh Government Circular Economy Capital Fund, and a significant contribution from Cardiff Business School. To learn more about how RemakerSpace assists community groups, educational institutions, and businesses, please contact Centre Manager, Rebecca Travers.