LifewithArt first met Alena Rogozhkina back in 2023 when she popped into our (then) brand new Charity Arts Centre at Dean House, Edinburgh to see what activities we would be holding on-site and whether she could be involved. Since then Alena has joined our team of freelance arts tutors and, alongside other LwA tutors, has lead a variety of workshops in Dean House with participants displaced by the war in Ukraine.
The classes provide a space where displaced individuals can not only explore their artistic potential but also find a sense of belonging and connection with others who share similar experiences. The energy, passion, and creativity that each participant brings to the sessions have made our classes a true celebration of expression and unity. It’s heartwarming to see these individuals come together, support one another, and share their stories through art. We look forward to growing this wonderful community even more and continuing to provide a space for healing, creativity, and connection.
Alena Rogozhkina
Alena’s passion to promote positive social change through art has driven her to establish Abandoned Artists CIC- for artists from countries affected by displacement, war and persecution. The core mission for this Community Interest Company is to design and deliver a fully funded programme for a cohort of emerging artists affected by humanitarian disasters so that they can rebuild their broken creative journeys in the UK.
2024 saw Abandoned Artists embark upon a new project- to open an artists hub in the “Space to Be” in the Gyle Shopping Centre in Edinburgh. Previously a Burger King restaurant, Space to Be is a warm community space run by Corstorphine Old Parish Church aimed at bringing people together, helping to tackle loneliness and foster a sense of belonging. The Abandoned Artists hub known as Artists Kitchen will provide individual spaces for artists to make and sell art as well as a communal space and kitchen. LifewithArt is proud to sponsor this endeavor providing a donation to help purchase furniture and to transform the space into a fabulous yet functional studio.
Alena hopes that the studio will provide space for people not just to create, but to ground themselves and rebuild their lives
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