Starting in 2017, Flourish is an on-going school holiday art programme for local families with primary school aged children. It takes place at ACAVA's Maxilla Walk Studios and offers a space for families to get creative and enjoy learning new skills with professional artists.
The initiative began as a one-off eco-art project funded by the Westway Trust, however following the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, the need for a safe, creative and family-friendly space for local people to come together was evident. Over time the project has developed, and we invite a broad range of artists to respond to a different theme each holiday, enabling families to explore what art is and can be.
Past programmes have included; building an installation that explores our relationship to the galaxy; science and art themed activities including making spinning planets and potato batteries; creating video installations using homemade camera obscuras, as well as activities such as printmaking, large scale collage and textile-based projects.
For younger audiences we run interactive storytelling sessions using puppets, props and input from the children. We weave wonderful imaginative tales that often journey through the building, garden and beyond.
In response to requests, most recently we have introduced teen-only sessions.
Although Flourish will not be taking place at Maxilla this school holiday (Easter 2020), we have been working with some of our favourite Flourish artists to deliver a remote programme for families to participate in at home. This includes an exciting new stop-frame animation initiative. Find out more here and follow #Flourishathome.
For more information on past workshops, please visit the following pages on our website:
Programme 2020
- Half term: Flourish "The Seasons"
- Easter Holidays: Flourish @ Home
- May Half term and during Summer: Flourish in the Florest
- Winter Holidays: Flourish Winter Tales
Programme 2019
- Half term: Flourish "Harmony"
- Easter Holidays: Flourish "Connect"
- May half term: Flourish "Trace"
- October half term: Flourish "Cosmic"
- Winter Holidays: Flourish "Winter Tales"
Programme 2018
- Period Jan/Feb/Mar: Workshops and After School Club
- Half term: Movement workshops
- Easter: "Bloom"
- Period April/May: Workshops for Adults and Teens/Children
- May/June half term: Flourish "Reflection"
- October half term: Flourish "Retrospective"
- Winter Holidays: Flourish "Winter Tales"
Programme 2017
- Period June/July: Workshops
- Summer Holidays: Workshops, Dates Extended
- Period Nov/Dec: Flourish Arts at The Curve: Grenfell Assistance Centre
- Winter Holidays: Winter Flourish at The Curve
Words from our Flourish families:
"Just to have that kind of support was really crucial for me, and I think for my daughter as well… I honestly don't know what I would have done that summer… So to have that to go to and have that as the creative aspect for us was like a real lifeline." Programme participant, ACAVA Flourish (after Grenfell fire)
"There's definitely a sense of community and all the regulars recognize each other, they all show each other their work when they've done it. They will support each other, which is so nice." Programme participant, ACAVA Flourish
"Not just the physical environment is safe but safe in the sense that the people there are warm and genuine. Safety in terms of your wellbeing and in the sense that I like I can go there and not worry, as I can almost switch off." Programme participant, ACAVA Flourish
"I think I think one of the things I really love is that it doesn't feel pressured. There isn't pressure to produce something. You're not doing something to have like an end goal, it's more about the process." Programme participant, ACAVA Flourish
Sign up to receive up to date information about our art projects open to all members of the north Kensington community here.