Refugee Week 2025

​​

For Refugee Week 2025 Skimstone Arts worked in partnership with the Fine Art Department of Newcastle University. We explored the theme Community as a Superpower through live performance and a mixed media exhibition from Ukrainian artists including their newly printed book, alongside diverse artists from around the world.

​

16–23 June 2025

Newcastle University 
XL Gallery, Fine Art Building (King Edward VII Building) NE1 7RU 

​

 

Community is the incredible everyday. Ordinary and extraordinary. Simple acts of shared generosity. Kindness multiplied to become an unstoppable force!

 

“We can begin the process of making community wherever we are. We can begin by sharing a smile, a warm greeting, a bit of conversation; by doing a kind deed or by acknowledging kindness offered to us.”- Bell Hooks, American Author.

Communities can bring people together. Bridging divides and offering support. Spaces of resilience and places for healing. 

 

This Refugee Week everyone was invited to spend time with friends and build new connections in and beyond our neighbourhoods. From communal meals and open air film screenings, to football matches and music making, we've shared the feelings of welcome and belonging. Listening, learning, laughing together. 

​

13th June- 2nd July 10am -5pm 
Exhibition 

An exhibition of artworks, films and poetry by Ukrainian artists that explore the theme of Community, alongside extracts from a newly launched Book of Ukrainian Stories.
 

Audio and film recordings of songs and poetry, inspired by our diverse co-collaborators including Shirley & the Gang and Syrian, Bosnian, Palestinian and Kursit and Iraq will also be on display. 

​

​

Wednesday 2nd July 4pm-5pm 

 

Live music and performance of Turning to Face the Sun by UNITY Tree (Ukrainian performers). Turning to Face the Sun portrays the reality of when ordinary life changes due to war and oppression and how communities can show solidarity and hope.

​

Followed by light refreshments

​

​

​​

"I am from Ukraine, now I live in Durham... I was really surprised it was very talent and touching... I felt deep and on my skin, I don't know how to say in English but I think you understand what I mean" Audience Member 

"I really liked it as I am Ukrainian so I felt everything that they were showing us, I felt all the emotions... It made such a big impact on different people who are not from Ukraine, because not all the people actually know what's happening right now, it was a nice way to show how it actually feels." Audience Member 

​

​

​

"Refugee Week is important because it shines a light on the experiences, contributions, and resilience of refugees, while encouraging understanding and compassion across communities.

It provides a platform for expression, healing, and connection through storytelling, arts and performance.” Nataliia (UNITY Tree performer)

​

"It is important because it gives the opportunity to see refugees as their own people who have bright personalities” Rina (UNITY Tree performer)

​​​​​