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26.11.2024 / News /

Art for the picket line at UVW’s Workshop

 “It felt very good not just to learn something new but to contribute something visual to the fight.”

UVW member and participant

United Voices of the World (UVW) invited union members to get creative and take action at a free art workshop on Friday 22 November, at Casa UVW, the union’s offices. With a focus on screen printing for poster-making for the picket lines, the workshop saw a lively group of participants—including striking workers from the Natural History and Science Museums—getting their hands dirty and creating bold, eye-catching prints for their ongoing fight.

Led by artist members Ella Jones , Ángela (The Bonita Chola) and Nelly (blkmoodyboi) in collaboration with art project Paris 68 Redux!, the workshop provided everything from pre-printed colourful backgrounds to cardboard stencils emblazoned with powerful UVW slogans like “When migrants rouse, we all rise” or “Ni dóciles, ni sumisas, ni calladas” (Not docile, not submissive, not silent!). Participants rolled ink over the stencils, producing vibrant posters reflecting our stories and experiences of being precarious workers and union activists, ready to energise the museum’s picket lines the following morning.

Noel Zammite, a Science Museum security guard and UVW striker, told us: “I thought the workshop was amazing. It brought back memories from 35 years ago when I did silk printing. I learned a lot of new stuff and really enjoyed it, and the people who attended were great. I’ll definitely do it again!”

“The process was exciting. You’d choose your background, pick a slogan, and then just dive into printmaking,” another participant shared. “The results were stunning, and it felt very good not just to learn something new but to contribute something visual to the fight.”

“I was very happy to meet other union members during the workshop to make posters and prints for the Saturday picket. They made me feel welcomed and supported and I felt we all shared the same spirit of commitment and belonging to a community with the same ideals,” said Sote Angeleski, a bench officer that supports his striking colleagues at the Science Museum.

The striking museum workers proudly marched the next day with their new posters, a powerful testament to the creativity and solidarity of their struggle. A selection of these artworks will be showcased at UVW’s upcoming May Day Art Exhibition.

Don’t miss the next and final FREE art workshop of 2024 on 7 December at Casa UVW. You will learn life drawing with UVW’s Sarah and Ellal! No experience needed and all materials (and lunch) provided. There are paid opportunities to pose as a model, so do get in touch if you are interested. 

For details on how to register, contacts, and what to expect follow this link >>

LIFE DRAWING FREE WORKSHOP

🗓️ 7 December 2024

⏰ 11 – 2pm

📌 Casa UVW, 144 Cambridge Heath Road E1 5QJ (Pelican House)

🍕 Lunch provided 

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