Winthrop Gardens in Wickersley has been delighted to collaborate with FLUX Rotherham in the production of a very unusual and unique piece of artwork now installed in the new Winthrop Café. The aim of the project, delivered by Arts Council-funded FLUX Rotherham, was to involve Winthrop volunteers, customers and visitors in the creation of a unique piece of artwork, which would be symbolic of the health, wellbeing and caring ethos of Winthrop, to display in the new Café. Anna Chester, Winthrop Organiser, said: “It was very novel to be able to welcome Karen Hall as our ‘Artist in Residence’ for the first week in June. It was fantastic that together we were able to engage a really diverse group of people in this exciting creative venture – volunteers and lots of customers from our Tuesday walking group, visiting ‘Headway’ group, our Men’s group, people living with dementia and their carers from our Memory Café as well as those just calling in for a cuppa and some cake! “96 people took part with participants really spanning the ages – Alfie, aged three, sat beside Bernard, age 90, as they made flowers to contribute to the creation! A unique and very different activity for Winthrop but most enjoyable and worthwhile, and tapping into some very creative juices!” Alison Somerset Ward, Creative Engagement Officer with FLUX Rotherham, added: “Our partnership with Winthrop in this project really helped us engage with a very different demographic. It’s fantastic that this very unique and collective outcome will be on display for all to see in the new and very popular Winthrop Café.”
