Group Portrait 2024: A Cross-Continent Celebration of Creativity

STEPHANIE NEBBIA - Colart's Resident Artist/Program Manager ‑ Education & Outreach was the opening of the inaugural exhibition Group Portrait 2024 which launched the Hands On m2 Gallery in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya in August 2024, produced by Hands On Art Workshops.

The exhibition featured a hand-painted self-portrait on A4 paper or as a cardboard cut-out from each student in the Hands On Art workshops programme, working in  Art Clubs and a community learning centre across Kakuma Refugee Camp & Kalobeyei Settlement.

Group Portrait 2024 is now restaged at m2 gallery in London until November 9th Kings Grove Peckham SE15  to showcase and celebrate the talent and artwork of students in Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Settlement and mark the 10th anniversary of Hands On Art Workshops.

This was all created thanks to Colart’s continuing support with materials donations.

Huge thanks  to Ajita Chamberlain, Sara Brennan, Jane Beeston, Liza Kindon and  Jan Lennon for making it possible.

UNHCR Education officer from Kakuma, Joy Marakha, hosted a Q&A with artist Lisa Milroy who created the project and Gallery founder Julia Manheim. It was attended by an audience of incredible artists and wonderful to hear them voice how much they appreciate our brands. You can also see it in the portraits!

To learn more about Hands On Art workshops there is a beautiful publication, copies available at the hub; or, visit the UNHCR  and UCL website.

If you would like to support the project https://www.Justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hands-on

Colart proudly supports the creativity and resilience behind this project.