Light Up For Inclusion

Creative Campaign

About the campaign

Since 2017, Barkingside Art Club has blossomed into a vibrant sanctuary of creativity at Fullwell Cross Library, sparking imaginations throughout Redbridge. Our dynamic visual art workshops and groundbreaking projects warmly welcome individuals of all ages, abilities, and diverse backgrounds, cultivating an environment where everyone is inspired to explore and hone their artistic talents. By championing inclusion and the transformative power of visual art education, we nurture a space where creativity flourishes.

Founded by the passionate local artist and educator, Eliyah Qureshi, Barkingside Art Club emerged from a heartfelt desire to create a safe and nurturing haven for children and young people, particularly those with special needs and learning disabilities. Drawing from her own experiences as a parent to a child with special needs, Eliyah envisioned a club where young artists could express themselves freely and creatively, unburdened by fear of judgment.

Eliyah's personal journey of overcoming isolation as a parent has ignited her unwavering commitment to fostering inclusion within the community through the arts. Our inspiring "Light Up for Inclusion" campaign brilliantly uses bees as a metaphor for children with special educational needs and disabilities. By crafting luminous bee lanterns and vibrant acrylic artworks, we bring the community together, illuminating the lives of those who often feel excluded.

This year's poster artwork features Ella, our creative ambassador, alongside Shanzey, a cornerstone of our club’s foundation. The illustration depicts children and young people joyfully wielding paintbrushes alongside our dedicated art educators, all gathered in front of a shimmering Christmas tree. This imagery symbolizes our Young Creative Ambassadors Programme and Spectrum Studio Project—initiatives designed to empower youths aged 11-18 through creativity, nurturing their talents, and promoting self-expression.

The visionary concept behind this project was masterfully crafted by Eliyah Qureshi, whose dedication to inclusion, sustainability, and community creativity continues to propel Barkingside Art Club forward.

How to get involved?

We are calling everyone to share our passion in decorative self expression to support inclusion and bring about strong unification in society! 

Barkingside Art Club are hosting art workshops for all, guided by Eliyah and her team of artistic assistants and you will be able to help them by volunteering! Both individuals, local businesses and organisations are welcome to volunteer and become an active part of the project!

You can also join us by sharing your own story of inclusion and community through this form:

Families and Children Free Workshops at Fullwel Cross Library

Help us spreading our project by sharing it with as many people as possible!

If you are a local business or organisation interested in supporting the project,

please get in touch to explore how you could do that!

Why Bee Lanterns? 

The creation of the lanterns will demonstrate community resolve, despite the limitations - with each light symbolising hope and, along with our logo, the power in communication and teamwork with all bees working together to ensure a peaceful and thriving hive. 

The story of our shining community lanterns will inspire, as each lantern represents the energy with which you support ‘inclusion and individuality’ in our community - regardless of race, culture or disability. When displayed together, the lanterns will showcase the coming together of a strong, united and inclusive community.

The Goal to achieve: Light Up to Support Inclusion!

The goal of our campaign is to make the community aware of the importance of inclusion.

Continuing with our annual creative campaign ‘Light up for Inclusion’ we aim to promote inclusion generally, within the Redbridge community and ultimately go towards making our community more accepting and tolerant. To do our small part and in particular to mark UK Disability History Month, Barkingside Art Club will shine a light on the following:

• The importance of inclusion through visual art locally as provided by Barkingside Art Club for all including children with SEND

• To urge local community schools, organisations, businesses to make an effort to be inclusive to children with SEND

• To raise awareness of different cultures and religions, which bond the borough of Redbridge, making it a culturally diverse and richer community

If there is a diverse and inclusive community - through equitable sharing of resources and community engagement - we believe that everyone can achieve their potential despite their differences!

History behind the artist 

This campaign has been created by local artist Eliyah Qureshi who is a community artist and a creative entrepreneur. She is the founder and director of Barkingside Art Club LTD and AFORA CIC. She is Pakistani born and has been living in London since 2002 where she has been working in the creative industry as a graphic designer and visual artist.

She took the initiative to promote inclusion after being inspired by her journey of having an autistic child and feeling isolated from society within schools and the community. Her vision is to eliminate prejudice.

More Information on our website - The local voices!

Please support us by encouraging your child’s local schools and organisations (such as clubs) to get involved as they have done previously and also invite community business and individuals to lend their support by donating to this campaign. We gratefully welcome donations, which will go towards future promotion and support of community inclusion - through creative practice.