Get involved in a new exhibition exploring teenage girls’ experiences of parks (and public spaces).
Park design, including facilities, can affect women and girls’ use of public spaces – it can either enhance or limit the freedom these spaces should provide. Similarly how other people see and use spaces can impact on whether girls feel welcome (including feeling safe). Through creative responses we can share experiences, ideas and start to imagine solutions on how these spaces could be transformed to become more inclusive
Research shows girls’ presence in parks declines sharply in teenage years, compared to boys, and patterns set in these years can affect later life. Use of parks can benefit physical and mental health and wellbeing – so creating welcoming inclusive parks is important.
The new exhibition is part of the ongoing Make Space York project and invites people to help raise awareness and share lived experiences in creative ways to engage the audience and invite them to question the status quo.
Opportunities for teenage girls to get involved:
Creative submissions for the exhibition are open to all ages from age 11 upwards and more information can be found here.
In addition, we have two workshop sessions in February half term where girls can get involved and contribute toward the exhibition.
Art workshop: Chains
Thursday 20th February 2-4pm
York Explore Cafe – Rowntree Park
Book places in advance – free to attend
Join illustrator Lucy Monkman for an art workshop creating self portraits that will be used in a collective piece.
While metal chains have traditionally been used to restrain, paper chains have been used to celebrate. For Illustrator Lucy Monkman chains seemed to be a fitting symbol for the Make Space campaign as they represent the feeling of being limited but also that collective action and joining together can create change.
The session will include drawing representation of themselves on paper, a self portrait,that will be joined together to contribute to a chain.
The session is free to attend but places must be booked in advance due to limited space. Book here.
Photography session: Life through a Lens
Friday 21st February (select time between 1-4pm)
Rowntree Park
Register in advance – free to attend.
Photographic portraits of teenage girls in parks will be part of our upcoming exhibition. We are inviting teenage girls to have their photo taken by professional photographer Bec Hudson-Smith. A photographic portrait of each girl will be created and they will have the opportunity to answer some questions linked to parks and their experiences. The aim is for the image and words to go alongside each other as part of the exhibition.
Although some teenage girls may not be initially keen on the idea of having their photograph taken – the images will help convey a powerful message and share their thoughts and feelings, it will help their voices be heard.
The session will run between 1-4pm in Rowntree Park, but only take around 15-20 minutes per girl. If your child is interested in being involved on this date (or in the future) – please complete this form to register interest.
If you can’t attend the workshop but want to contribute to the chain – details will be shared via the Make Space York mailing list on how you can do this.
