Celebrating artwork of refugee children in our city

In the spirit of Refugee Week, running from Monday 19 June to Sunday 23 June, we’re highlighting a special exhibition of artwork, created by refugee children in our city.

The exhibition opens at 11am on Saturday 24 June in the Jubilee Library, where it will be on show for 2 weeks.

The young artists are all primary aged refugees from Syria, Afghanistan and Ukraine, who only recently arrived in Brighton & Hove.

They have created a variety of artwork based around themselves, their families, their countries and culture.

Since the children have varying prior school experience and levels of English acquisition, creating art gives them a chance to talk and share experiences in a safe space, and feel proud of what they contribute to the wider school community.

The children worked with specialist teachers from our Ethnic Minority Achievement Service (EMAS), following the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) Healing Classrooms programme.  

Healing classrooms

Experiencing trauma related to conflict at a young age can result in a ‘toxic stress’ response that inhibits brain development, impacting child’s physical and mental health, behaviour and relationships.

The Healing Classrooms programme is built on a belief that with the right support children can heal, learn, thrive and develop to their full potential.

EMAS specialist teacher Suzanne Fisher, who’s led on the Healing Classrooms work, said: “I’ve worked with some children who have a lot of trauma and when they first arrive without any English, I imagine it’s incredibly overwhelming.

“It must be very frustrating to not be able to show what you’re capable of and what you bring.

“When your life’s been turned upside down, school can be a safe place to heal and a teacher is an enormous part of that.”

Councillor Leslie Pumm, chair of the Equalities, Community Safety & Human Rights Committee said: “Everyone should have a voice, and I’m so proud of the work our teachers do to help refugee children find theirs and amplify it.

“If you can, please do come along to Jubilee Library to explore the work of these young artists and show your support to families seeking sanctuary in our city.

“I would also like to congratulate the 34 schools, nurseries and colleges in the city who have been recognised through the national City of Sanctuary movement, making Brighton & Hove a leading light for the welcome we give to refugee pupils.”

Refugee children from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine share their experience with attending school in the UK in a moving video created by the IRC.