UWE and BRAC Collaboration: compassion and belonging

Description

Bristol Refugee Artists Collective (BRAC) is a collective of Bristol artists who are refugees and asylum seekers. BRAC exists to empower its members through art activity and generate cultural exchange with the Bristol community. The group includes men and women from different parts of the world.

The creative collaboration in Bristol between UWE Bristol students and refugee/asylum seeker artists at the Bristol Refugee Artists Collective (BRAC) started since 2019. Prior to lockdown in 2020, the group worked together in a studio but since the COVID-19 crisis, the group continued to develop their artwork online despite challenging circumstances.

The determination and commitment from both students and artists evidenced in their online exhibition during Bristol Refugee Festival in June 2020. This close partnership continued to flourish with support from UWE Bristol with their staff's commitment and resources.

In 2023, UWE + BRAC collaborated under the theme ''Compassion and Belonging''. The exhibition illustrated the work they produced together, individually and during workshops they delivered during the 2023 Bristol Refugee Festival. This has been a rich venture where each have been able to exchange ideas and understanding, to share our past experiences and our passions through the arts.

UWE Bristol students and BRAC artists have all benefitted from working together with UWE Bristol staff's commitment and support of resources and materials.

Please take a moment to come and join us celebrate our successful collaborative partnership where artists and students continue to flourish. All are welcome!