Passion at the Cafe

Seeds of Life at St Andrew’s Leytonstone is the second phase of a creative project, The Tree of Life, working with community groups and local artists to celebrate life in Leytonstone in the run up to Easter.

As part of this a programme of drop-in sessions and recitals by local artists, craftspeople and musicians has been organised in St Andrew’s community café, Cafe Refresh.

Called Passion at the Café the programme will feature a musical recital by Latin American harpist and poet, Ricardo Curbelo; a felt-making workshop with Leytonstone craftswoman, Lizzie Houghton; a drawing workshop with Mark Lewis, environmental art with Wendy le Ber and a Salsa dancing taster session with Jane Kendrick, as well as mandala making.

Other Seeds of Life events at St Andrew’s this spring include the St Andrew’s Youth Group producing a decorative collage in partnership with local artist Peter Webb, and the church’s Lent group making Christian mandalas.

Passion at the Café will run from Tuesday 23rd March until Wednesday 31st March (excluding Sundays) between 12 and 2pm. The full programme is as follows:

Tuesday 23rd March
Mark Lewis - drawing
12.30-2pm

Wednesday 24th March
Lizzie Houghton - feltmaking
12.30-2pm

Thursday 25th March
Wendy Le Ber - environmental art
12.30-2pm

Friday 26th March
Ricardo Curbelo - Latin American Harp recital
1-1.30pm

Saturday 27th March
Jane Kendrick - Salsa taster class
12.30-1.30 pm

Tuesday 30th March
Mandala making
12.30-2 pm

Wednesday 31st March
Lesley Palmer - seed pot planting and making
12.30-1.30 pm

For further information, email Helen Gheorghiu Gould (Development Worker) at hsgheorghiu@btinternet.com or tel: 07866 451744.

The Tree of Life

St Andrews Leytonstone are mounting a community art exhibition from 8th-22 November as part of their Tree of Life project. It's a programme to bring together members of their community to create art work and share memories at St Andrew's church - this also links in with the theme of Remembrance, and their Service of Remembrance on 8th November. Their Seniors Group, youth group and church group have been working with local artists on their art work for the exhibition, professional artists will also be exhibiting, and they will have creative drop-in events in Café Refresh throughout the exhibition period.

St Andrews describe this project as follows:

"The Tree of Life is a creative project, started by St Andrew’s Church, working with community groups and local artists to produce arts work that reflects and celebrates life in Leytonstone.

Participants will display work alongside professional artists in an exhibition, Roots and Remembrance, in the church and Café Refresh from November 8th – 22nd. There will be an exhibition launch on 8th November at 11.30 am - all welcome for tea and coffee after the annual St Andrew's Service of Remembrance.

The Tree of Life is a commonly used symbol across many different cultures, which suggests the idea that all life on earth is related and has common roots. Our Tree of Life project will connect people in our community, remind us of our roots and connections here, and help us grow relationships in the place where we live.

Local artists including Mark Lewis, Peter Webb, Wendy Le Ber and Sba Shaikh will be exhibiting alongside community groups. We invite all our community in to come and share a memory, write or draw, and connect with others.

Programme of Activities

• Sunday 8 November - St Andrew’s Remembrance Sunday Service, 10.00 am, and Exhibition Launch (all welcome for coffee and tea), 11.30 am.
• Tues 10th November - Creative Drop-in Workshop (Mark Lewis/Peter Webb), 12.30 pm.
• Tues 17th November - Share a local memory or story, 12.30 pm.
• Wed 18th November - Creative Drop-in Workshop (Wendy Le Ber), 12.30 pm.
• Thur 19th November - Brigantia Consort lunchtime concert, 12.30 pm.
• Sat 21st November - Forest Heritage Walk with Forest Keeper (Ian Greer), 11.30 am – 12noon.

Further information: 07866 451744 or refresh@standrewsleytonstone.org.