The Islington Centre’s Art and Writing classes are run:
- online on Mondays at 4pm by Neda
- in person at the Centre on Wednesdays at 2pm by Sita, Jane, Neda, Amber and Ella
We also offer Reading, Writing and Conversation online classes: the themes connect with the ones of the Art & Writing Monday & Wednesday classes:
- online on Fridays at 11.30am with Lester and Fiona
Combining the artwork created and curated both in-person and online, we can see the talent that spans the Centre.
Art & Writing, in-person session – Jan 28th, 2026
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Jan 23rd, 2026
Awe: When We Turn Fear, Uncertainty into Triumph
This morning, we reflected on this question:
“What is the bravest thing you’ve ever said or done?”
As we spent time digging into our memories,
flashes of awe-filled moments began to emerge.
“Well,” said Juan, “I once had to share a testimony at church
in front of an audience of about forty people, in English,
a language I didn’t speak very well,
but I did it anyway.”
Then Phebe said,
“I remember when I came to the UK for the first time.
I was so happy.”
Susan then added,
“I got an invitation from a friend to join them for Chinese food.
It was amazing. I never expected that from them.
It happened during Christmas. It was an awe moment for me.”
Olasunkanmi said with a smile,
“I remember my first Christmas dinner
with British people. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go,
I never had that experience before.”
In every single one of these moments,
we somehow managed to turn our fears, uncertainty into triumph,
and triumph into celebration and gratitude.
Yes, in remembering the bravest things we have ever said or done,
we looked back and recovered something we sometimes lose sight of:
Moments of Awe, of challenges that we have overcome.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session–
Art & Writing, in-person session – Jan 21st, 2026
Awe Magnified
The voice of the sea came calling
She sang through the ear of a conch
Her music distilled in pencil marks
Sea and bird life magnified
The voice of the sea came calling
Shells, feathers, starfish
Appeared upon the page
Carried on her currents, ripples, waves
The voice of the sea came calling
Detail grew before our eyes
Drawing contours
Tracing tactile textures
Mixing pearly paint
Gazing close and closer…
Concentration magnified
The voice of the sea came calling
Cresting memories of childhood shores
Philosophical contemplations
Still Life collections, recollections
In awe of nature’s store
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session–
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Jan 16th, 2026
I remember
I remember when I first came to the UK. I was thinking it is beautiful, the atmosphere of south bank.
I remember when I sang in a concert in front of a large, cheering audience.
I remember when I first got a hug from a friend, I felt peaceful and loved.
I remember the first time I heard a Black Bird singing… I felt I knew that singing, it made me feel like back at home, that I was not alone here in England, because in my country we have a bird that sings similar to the blackbird.
I remember a beautiful, big tree with fine flowers.
I remember when I went to the London Eye.
I remember when I smell perfumes, I feel peaceful in my spirit.
I remember I felt calm when I went to the nature gardens.
I remember when I heard Robin birds whistling from afar, and I felt alive.
I remember when I first saw the full English breakfast. I felt great, and I enjoyed every single one of them.
I remember my dad laughing about my first cooked meal.
I remember thinking this is beautiful when I watched the movie The Beauty and the Beast.
I remember feeling wonder when I saw so many people come to attend my concert.
I remember when I was joining for Zumba dance class. It was energetic and exciting.
I remember when my first child called me mummy…. I felt great and happy.
I remember when l sang for King Charles lll at Windsor.
I remember when I went to Glastonbury Tor for a choir recording for Bthe BC.
I remember when I came to the UK to many people.
I remember that I remembered, when I remembered.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Art & Writing, in-person session – Jan 7th, 2026
Awe – Light in the Dark
A W E
Three letters light up our January world
On black paper
Bright colours shine
Around our hearth
Bottles hold sprigs of winter foliage
Sage and rosemary rubbed between fingers
Scenting remembrance of lavender pillows, bringing peaceful sleep
Colours pierce the dark
Illuminating:
A lush leaf as big as a hand
Flowers of the ocean bed, swaying
Branches and berries, constellation flower heads
floating awesome imaginations to fishing on a river
Red berries glow through winter dark
Flowers form like constellations, fireworks lighting the night
While we contemplate feelings of awe at:
The moon and stars
Of the lives we live
Of waking in the morning to life light
Of the difference in people and places
Of looking up at the sky, or close at earth-bound riches
Of the power of our beliefs
Or the Starling coloured berries, shining
Of nature’s ability to regenerate
Art and words hold our echo
An expression repeated around the hearth
We are ‘in awe’
to wake in the morning, after the darkness of the night
To feel the light rise
On this cold winter’s day.
These awe-filled winter bottles of green and blue
hold the skeleton form of the old year’s flowers
and the awakening buds of the new.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Art & Writing, in-person session – Dec 10th, 2025
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Dec 5th, 2025
Winter Landscapes
I look up to the clouds and see
Snowfall, flecks of rice, drifting icily
Against a darkening sky, though it’s only 4 o’clock.
The winter stillness makes me lazy, and yet it is a gift
A time for preparation; a time to reflect
A time for writing, drawing, thinking; nothing is permanent.
I take up my pen, share a story with the world
Creativity flows, words cascade from somewhere up high
And out comes a poem, like snowfall from the sky.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Art & Writing, in-person session – Dec 3rd, 2025
Wreaths
Imagination, inspiration, a vision in green
The gift of creation, a magical scene
Foliage, berries and twinkling stars
Signed by the artist; they’ve made their mark.
Textured like tinsel or smooth to the touch
Each one unique, telling the story of us
A sweet choral backdrop then lights up the air
Creativity in motion, crafted with care.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Nov 21st, 2025
The Sun, Moon and Stars
“The Sun is a source of life, the moon spreads calmer light
At calm night, stars shine through the night, spreading light.“
– words by our dear client Leela –
Light is joy, peace and happiness
Light is God, and God is love
Celestial light is something amazing
Pure in heart, pure in everything.
The Sun rises like a rose, a new day blossoming
Bringing life, embracing us all in its warmth
The Sun gives nature its beauty and colour
Like the smiling face of a bright yellow sunflower.
The Moon affects the tides and time,
Makes our calendar, marks Chinese New Year
Lunar orbits bring change; orb becomes crescent
A solitary light in the darkening sky.
Stars illuminate the darkness, guiding our path
Stars are the light we need in difficult times
Symbols of hope and inspiration
Light always leads the way.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Art & Writing, in-person session – Nov 19th, 2025
Community Gift
Tiny circles
Small globes
Hold bright moments
As we draw, paint, decorate
Choose our colours
Flow in shape and form
Sparks, flowers, trees, hearts
Music gifts us
Contemplation
Voice, dance
Laughter, joy
Communal singing
Art and music
Harmony
Peace
At the art table
We thread
Tiny globes of light
With ribbons of hope
A gift in the making
A gift in the giving
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Nov 14th, 2025
Festivals of Light
It is time to celebrate, to be together.
‘Every wave of light has a potential life in it’.
Light brings people together.
A candle, a lantern, a star, a firefly.
Light sparks our curiosity
‘to discover more things.’
‘We work together; we help one another’.
Let’s celebrate, let’s irradiate what we have in our heart.
For this Christmas,
‘I’m visiting family and cooking jollof rice
and grilled chicken with lots of vegetables.’
It is time to celebrate, to be together around light.
-Communal poem built from comments and thoughts from clients attending the session-
Art & Writing, in-person session – Nov 12th, 2025
Lanterns
The lamp of god, the light of life
We make, create, our light it shines
With sticky hands and paper cuttings
A concertina, a collection coming
Patterns, shapes, such vibrant colours
We work together, we help one another
The lamp of god, the light of life
We make, create, our light it shines
Magical lanterns in rainbow hues
Adorned, gem-toned – we’ve run out of glue!
With song and dance, the room aglow
The lanterns hung, a seasonal show
The lamp of god, the light of life
We make, create, our light it shines
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Nov 7th, 2025
Seeds
From fragile shoots a forest grows
From every drop an ocean flows.
For every story there starts an idea
For every relationship we hold dear.
From every mother a new life springs
For every child, the journey begins.
From every seed a might oak
For each new day we carry hope.
From every word, there’s love or hate
For every action, action makes.
So, plant seeds of joy and not discord
And always remember, you reap what you sow.
– Communal Poems built from the collected words of the session –
Art & Writing, in-person session – Nov 5th, 2025
The Tree of Life
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Oct 24th, 2025
Light Harvest
‘It’s better to do something, even if it’s little,
to make out of a bad situation something better,
instead of complaining about it.’
It’s better to brighten your future
and hope for a better situation
than to surrender in defeat.
It’s better to try doing something.
We could fail, but it’s better than not trying at all,
It’s better to speak up and not die in silence.
When we speak someone might listen.
My symbol of light
Moonlight with shining stars in the sky,
is my symbol of light.
The sun, hope for a bright future,
is my symbol of light.
The stars, making darkness less scary,
helping us find our way,
Is my symbol of light.
The sun and the stars, brighten my future,
my freedom, my hope,
is my symbol of light.
Torch light or candle light
shining up in darkness, bringing hope
and light at the end of a dark tunnel,
my symbol of light.
– Communal Poems built from the collected words of the session –
Art & Writing, in-person session – Oct 22nd, 2025
Trees, Leaves and Branches
Autumn fires, sunshine brights
Green to gold, darkening nights
Orange and amber, reds and browns
Leaves underfoot, fallen to the ground.
Like tissue paper, delicate and light
Each one unique, the beauty of life
We bring our vision, our talent and ideas
In each of our leaves is a story shared.
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Oct 17th, 2025
Fruit
I reach up high to pick the fruits
Flavourful, good for you, juicy and delicious
Oranges, mandarin, papaya and mango;
Soursop, plums, pineapples and pears.
A melody – all kinds of birds singing
A feast for the eyes, a bounty to share
We harvest the fruit, we savour the season
Mouth-watering aromas in the curries we prepare.
Nature is nourishing; nature is abundant.
The cycle continues, the fruit comes back.
We plant seeds of hope, for fruitful futures
We plant seeds of joy, generosity and care.
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Art & Writing, in-person session – Oct 15th, 2025
Hope Light
This candle glows
This candle flares
This candle sizzles
This candle flickers
This flame is energy
Warmth, light, heat
This candle is for celebration
This candle is for prayer
This candle shines bright
This candle brings hope light
Individual voice writing
The sun is shining on the mountains
On one side there is darkness
Though I can see the moon
Trees and flowers are growing on the mountain side
Above me, in this place, there are blue skies.
*
This candle is for beginnings
This candle is for Hope
This candle is to light the way to future paths
*
I paint tiny candle holders
Floating on the sea
Blue means eternity for me
For I am a diver
I know the colours of water
*
Through the darkness
Comes the light
From the light
Comes growth
– Communal Poems written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Oct 10th, 2025
Harvest
Autumn, ‘Season of transformation’ ‘warm to cold’
‘The wind is increasing.’ ‘the breeze blows’ chill air.
The trees drop their leaves, the wind play with them,
The leaves ‘scrunch’ under our feet.
Autumn, ‘Season of transformation.’ time for harvest.
A time for ‘soup’, a ‘vegetable soup’
‘fresh soup’ ‘pumpkin’, ‘peas’ ‘Tomato soup’ ‘Lentil soup’
‘Beef and barley soup’ ‘Rice harvest’
‘Leek and potato soup’ ‘Grains’
‘Efficacy of your magic hands make a delicious soup
to indulge everyone’
‘you have to harvest yourself to evolve the bright side
of your life and positivity’
‘There are always million drops of sweat, dedication,
sacrifice behind every harvest’
‘Success without failure is like soup without salt.’
‘Isaac Newton said – Every action has a reaction’
‘what goes around comes around’
‘What have I seen and experienced that I want to write about?’
‘sharing memories’ ‘children harvesting crops’
Humans and dolphins ‘harvesting fish’ helping each other.
‘Try to look and see – what are the experiences’
try to find the words to express the feeling
‘They shine on the black earth,’ On a blank page
‘Glorifying victory,’ ‘the fisherman emptying his nets.’
People harvesting light with ‘solar panels’
‘Energy’ that ‘become electricity’
We can ‘harvest words’ in the ‘Library’
‘poetry is around you all the time’
‘books/reading/ searching’
‘Searching in the books’ is ‘harvesting words,’
is ‘travelling, using our imagination,
‘when you learn, you can harvest knowledge’
Harvest, it is a ‘Heart work’
Nelson Mandela said, ‘I realized that they could take
everything from me except my mind and my heart’.
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Art & Writing, in-person session – Oct 8th, 2025
Autumn Table
Russet, ruby, amber, orange, mustard, green, golden
Autumn
Calls for all the hues
Painting verdant jungles
Kingfishers fly us faraway
To sun drenched river banks
Meditations emerge-
Paper plate borders of fine china patterning
The veins in the leaves
Like miniature trees
Pomegranate, apple, gorgeous gourds
Green tomatoes on the vine
Painting leaves
Printing
Layer on layer
The colour of burgundy wine
Reflective words flow
‘This harvest must have time and space to grow.’
‘I feel the goodness in this small plate.
I would like to eat something from this plate .
I have painted it with all my favourite colours
Yellows, reds, greens and purples.’
So much is held within these circles
Laid out upon our harvest table.
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Reading, Writing & Conversation, online session – Oct 3rd, 2025
Trees and Leaves
The roots of a towering tree
Stand for strength and stability.
Though some are strange, like chickens’ legs
They hold fast, nourish and protect.
Roots bring water, nutrients and energy.
Like trees, we’re rooted by community
By our shared joy and humanity.
The sight of sunlight through the trees soothes me
Sending me into a quiet reverie
So that I’m relaxed, happy and carefree.
Yes, I find wisdom and peace
When I meditate beneath the Bodhi tree.
I think of branches climbed in childhood
The shelters created under canopies
Memories made in the landscapes around me.
Like the roots of a towering tree
We stand for strength and unity.
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Art & Writing, in-person session – Oct 1st, 2025
Art & Writing, in-person session – Sep 10th, 2025
Sky Gazing
Travelling in tranquil skies
Birds migrate
Seeing landscapes of safety and freedom
Making borderless crossings
Hopeful songbirds wake us at dawn
Singing of happiness
Sky gazing
Clouds mutate into seascapes
And a pelican fishes on a lake
A garland of nature
Delights the eyes
Passion flowers bring
Flower memories
Imaginations surf across soft blue skies
Dreaming of murmuration miracles
– Communal Poem written by our Clients and Volunteers –
Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants 