18 months in South Abingdon

Building capacity and community connections together through creativity.

In March 2023, we officially launched the South Abingdon arts and culture project. It was developed in partnership with the local council, and the aim was to build the capacity of local artists and expand creative opportunities in South Abingdon. 

This ongoing regenerative arts project celebrates and supports local people by offering training, mentorship and a platform for artists, community groups and schools, to connect with and shape their environment.

This project connects with three of our four core missions;

Unlocking space and opportunity: for accessing space, resources, training and skills development, which in turn has;

Built capacity: for local artists and residents who have been involved in all aspects of the work. This project has retained that increased capacity and knowledge locally. As a result, the project has;

Influenced: and changed how the council might conceive of and design future arts and culture projects. But also how the local community view, celebrate and hold pride in their place.

As we draw to the end of the project we thought it was a good time to celebrate the activities outcomes and share our next steps. 

We set out to ask:

“How can the combined opportunity of access to space, tools and support unlock creative expression and connection in a neighbourhood and build more equitable places where local citizens develop a deeper sense of belonging?”

What did the project entail?

Working with artists

We developed a training programme for local creatives to develop their skills set and knowledge

to then further deliver workshops in, and for, the community.

The project was designed to support artists with how they work, as well as how to build and maintain a sustainable and resilient practice.

Residencies and mentoring

We offered opportunities for trainee artists to work as resident artists within the local primary schools and children’s centre. 

The project became a platform for the local community in which to engage, respond and connect to their local landscape.

Here, they developed ideas and works for the public artworks, supported by free access to studio space at Makespace’s hub in Abingdon, The Charter.

Exhibitions and public art work

Through workshops facilitated by professional local artists and trainees, bespoke site-specific works in Abingdon were created in collaboration with various community groups. The focus was to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage and history of Abingdon.

What did we do? 

Preparing the ground: March to July, 2023

235 people attended 12 events across the first phase of the project. The outcomes included 1 piece of public art, 3 training sessions, 5 workshops and 7 local trainee artists.

Sowing the seeds: September to December 2023

243 participants across 20 workshops, involving 14 artists, including 10 Abingdon based artists. The tally at the end of this phase is 478 participants.

Growth: January to September 2024

48 workshops with 6 Abingdon based artists. Total participants in this phase was a whopping 1,150. 

In total, we welcomed over 1,600 people to almost 80 workshops from March 2023 to September 2024. It’s one of the biggest projects we’ve run since launching Makespace Oxford and we look forward to continuing this work with the local community.

“I feel there is so much more I can develop, and the approach you are taking really is everything I could imagine if I was to dream up a way we can really work together and learn from each other. The idea of breaking down that hierarchy and everyone being valued can go so far. In workshops, in our engagement with people and how we generally operate in this world. Such a departure from how it feels in an outdated school system.” – Trainee artist

Project highlights

Pavement play

Artist Tom McLean worked in three locations; River Close Playpark, Hogarth Place and Marina Park. Tom painted designs inspired by conversations with the local residents during the Easter pop ups and the Thameside after-school workshop.

Then, artist Jess worked alongside Tom using various techniques to paint nature trail crossings. Jess also worked with young people from Mental Health Natters on this part of the project. 

Jess says, “The process of the nature trails in South Abingdon have felt really nostalgic. With every trail having a memory of family dog walks and bringing my daughter up here. I feel a real emotional connection to the community and space, so having the opportunity to be a part of creating the crossings has been a really incredible experience. Speaking to the community as I hear their stories and personal connections has been really special and I hope that they can be enjoyed as much as I have enjoyed creating them”.

Digital map

Created by artist Tom with a Skillshare from Freeman Digital, the South Abingdon Arts Trail Map is an interactive online map available for free on our website. Beautifully designed, you can click on the different trails; dragonfly, hedgehog, duck and see photos of the trails in situ. Those using the map can see what’s available on each trail and exactly where it is in South Abingdon. 

What’s next?

We have seen some incredible changes across the project as it’s developed. The importance of building local creative capacity has been welcomed with open arms and we look forward to supporting this as long as we can through our Charter hub and future initiatives. 

We’ve also noticed how essential it is to be rooted in a place enabling authentic, local voices to lead the activities/agenda. Building lasting relationships and artwork created with and by those living locally. 

So, will you join us on our journey? This is what our plans are with the project…

☻ Support the ongoing mentoring for the project artists workshops for artists, including helping artists with planning budgets, workshops and applying for opportunities

☻ Continue the project work with Sovereign Network Group (SNG) – adding to the outdoor arts trail beginning with a Thameside School residency

☻ Continue our collaborations with One Planet Abingdon and Abingdon Museum

☻ Continue the project work and creative conversations with The Abingdon Bridge

☻ Introduce African Dance sessions at The Charter Studios and in Caldecott

With thanks to our project partners: