Art Beyond Belief

Faith Junction interviews now incorporate Humanist and Atheist views

The renowned set of Faith Junction interviews – in which ordinary members of faith groups interview others on day-to-day matters of belief and practice – has now been extended. In addition to the original participants (Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Sikh), we now have members of the Buddhist, Jewish, Jain, Baha’i and Brahma Kumaris, Humanist and Atheist communities taking part. The complete set of interviews will be available at the end of March.

Sir Halley Stewart Trust fund ABB’s Insight programme for a further year

Following a brilliant first year for the programme, the Sir Halley Stewart Trust have agreed to fund the further development of Insight for another year. The programme’s work in prisons will now be extended, and professional training elements will be developed and trialled. More information from David Sparrow david@art-beyond-belief.com

Kaleidoscope Exhibition at Slough Museum

We currently have an exhibition at Slough Museum of work produced in our Kaleidoscope programme by women who are victims of domestic violence. Work in the programme is based around colour and colour choices; those who took part have taken their own photographs and manipulated images to produce some outstanding works of self-expression through learning to use an artistic vocabulary. The exhibition is open during the Museum’s normal opening hours (Wed-Sat 11am to 4pm). Kaleidoscope is produced with funding from the European Social Fund and the Skills Funding Agency.

Art Beyond Belief originally developed Kaleidoscope as part of our Art Monitor programme in 2008. Since then, Kaleidoscope has taken on a life of its own, and some exceptional work has been produced as a result.
For more information about Kaleidoscope or any of our programmes, please contact Emel Soylu 07956 022197 emel@art-beyond-belief.com

Festival 2010

The Festival of Dialogue 2010 Conference took place in October at the Iqra School in Slough. During the evening, Maidenhead Interfaith Group launched their new international aid project, providing ongoing support for areas affected by the floods in Pakistan. We also received feedback from local interfaith initiatives around the Thames Valley area, and showcased events happening during Interfaith Week in November. Throughout the year, a toolkit has been available to groups or individuals wanting to explore the influences that society has on faith groups - and also the influences that faith groups have on society. The Toolkit comprises starting points, exercises and topics for discussion, and includes all the relevant templates needed.

David Sparrow takes Via Dolorosa to Sweden

During the first weekend in June 2010, I was privileged to show Art Beyond Belief's Via Dolorosa project to the Swedish Church at their Världens fest, a festival of mission, and much, much more. I had no idea the Svenska Kyrkan was so involved in so much of the cares of the world. The event was held in the city of Växjö, in the south of Sweden ...

Via Dolorosa at 2010 Världens Fest (Festival of the World) in Sweden

On Friday 4th June, David Sparrow will be presenting the Via Dolorosa at the Festival, which takes place from 4th to 6th June in Växjö, the cathedral city of the Church of Sweden Diocese linked with the Anglican Diocese of Oxford. This will be its second outing in Sweden this year, having been shown as part of the Holy Week devotions in Växjö. Download the Festival  programme

Festival of Dialogue 2010 launches

Last year, Art Beyond Belief ran a successful Festival of Dialogue in Slough. This year we are organizing further events across the Thames Valley in conjunction with SEEFF. There will be a number of round table discussions organized across the area, followed by a conference in Slough on 22nd May. For more information call Andrea on 07958 320686 or email andrea@art-beyond-belief.com

ABB events during Interfaith week in Slough

included screenings of Via Dolorosa through out the day on Tuesday, and Borrow-a-person sessions each day at Slough Central Library or Kingsway. For more information about Interfaith week events in Slough, visit the Slough Faith Partnership website

Looking Glass exhibition at West Wing Arts Centre

The exhibition of work by adults attending the Therapeutic Day Unit at Wexham Park Hospital, produced as part of our Looking Glass programme, will be at the West Wing Arts Centre in Stoke Road, Slough throughout October. There will be an open event on Thursday 15th October between 3pm and 5pm – all are welcome. The programme is part of ABB’s Art Monitor project, funded by Art Council England, which helps people from a range of different backgrounds address issues of self-confidence and self-determination through computer-based art.

For more information, please call Emel Soylu on 07956 022197 emel@art-beyond-belief.com.

Exhibition of work at Slough Museum – reflecting on mental health

An exhibition of work by adults attending the Therapeutic Day Unit at Wexham Park Hospital, produced as part of our Looking Glass programme, will be at Slough Museum from 8th July and for the rest of the month, and can be seen during normal museum opening hours. The official launch will take place on Monday 13th July between 3pm and 8pm – all are welcome. The programme is part of ABB’s Art Monitor project, funded by Art Council England, which helps people from a range of different backgrounds address issues of self-confidence and self-determination through computer-based art.

For more information, please call Emel Soylu on 07956 022197 emel@art-beyond-belief.com.