Pop-Up Cultural Space

Wed 20th – Sun 24th March

FREE creative workshop & event programme for adult survivors of child sexual abuse, friends & allies

All workshops and events take place at East Street Arts, St Mary’s Lane, Leeds LS9 7EH

All events are FREE but please book in advance.
We aim to hold safer, accessible spaces for all CSA survivors, friends & allies.

All our spaces are relaxed environments, meaning you can move around the space as you need to during events and performances, and leave (and come back) at any time. Wellbeing support and a range of grounding activities are available if you need anyone to talk to in response to the artwork and activities.

All events are open to both sexes and all gender identities. Age guide: workshops 18+, events 14+

Programme

An ABC of CSA exhibition

Opening times:
Wed, 20th March: 1-4pm
Thu, 21st March: 5.30-9pm (Artist Q&A with Viv Gordon and Imogen Harvey-Lewis - 8-8.30pm)
Fri, 22nd March: 10am-1pm
Sat, 23rd March: 11am-6pm
Sun, 24th March: 11am-3pm during Sunday Social (space in use for activities)
Age guide 14+

An ABC of CSA is a creative resource to support better conversations about child sexual abuse. In collaboration with over 40 survivors, Viv Gordon Company has co-created a beautiful set of alphabet cards, illustrated by Artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis, which are being shown as large prints in this exhibition.
ABC of CSA Illustration Imoen Harvey-Lewis
Illustration by Imogen Harvey-Lewis

Illustrated Badge Making with Cat

Wed, 20th March, 11am-1pm
Age guide 18+

Cat is an illustrator and CSA survivor who turns the voices of the under-recognised into pictures, and stories into children’s books. Join her for a 2 hour workshop exploring accessible ways into illustration. Together we will think about the role illustration plays in all of our lives before moving onto design and make our own badges. Cat loves badges and believes every badge you wear tells a story about who you are. Everyone will make their own badges to wear home with pride!

Creating A Reverse Colouring Book With Issy

Wed, 20th March, 2-4pm
Age guide 18+

How do you make a reverse colouring book if you don’t know what a reverse colouring book is?! This workshop will show you how.
Issy is a CSA survivor. She is an artist that works with lots of different media and has a passion for making art that details the struggles, strengths and explores the need for change for CSA survivors (based on her own experiences).

Share your Paradise Tunes or Support Songs with others

Thu, 21st March, 10.30am-12.30pm
Age guide 18+

Ali is a CSA survivor who also lives with severe brain injury, sight loss, epilepsy & PTSD. Music has been significant in her journey and coming to terms with the challenges of life.
Ali invites you to come and share two songs, pieces of music, tunes or tracks you feel thankful for that help you cope or bring you power or pleasure. AKA your 'paradise tunes'! You will also be invited to share a short outline about their importance to your life. Ali hopes to develop a playlist from everyone's contributions which can be shared after the session.

Exploring Creative Movement With Lisa

Thu, 21st March, 1.30-3.30pm
Age guide 18+

You are warmly invited to join Lisa to explore dance and movement. Lisa believes that any body can explore dance and movement. All bodies, all abilities and all mobility’s welcome.
Lisa is a CSA survivor. She is a freelance Dance Artist who graduated from Northern School of Contemporary Dance to gain her BA(Hons) and MA. She has taught in a wide variety of settings and has led dance for all ages and abilities.

ABC of CSA Training with Viv Gordon and Kate McStraw

Thu, 21st March, 4-5.30pm
Age guide 18+

A training session on using the ABC of CSA cards to support better conversations about child sexual abuse.
Open to: Specialist support providers, counsellors, psychotherapists, health and social care professionals.

ABC of CSA Illustration Workshop with Imogen Harvey-Lewis

Thu, 21st March, 6-7pm
Age guide 18+

How would it be to draw your feelings?
Learn how to use simple illustration to articulate emotions in the kind and capable hands of ABC of CSA artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis.
No experience required. All materials will be provided.

ABC of CSA Exhibition - Late Night Viewing and Artist Q&A

Thu, 21st March | Age guide 14+

Exhibition open: 5.30-9pm
Artist Q&A with Viv Gordon and ABC of CSA Illustrator, Imogen Harvey-Lewis: 8-8.30pm
No pre-booking required.

Dandelion Painting With Nicola

Fri, 22nd March, 11am-1pm
Age guide 18+

In this workshop you will use everyday objects to make a dandelion painting by printing onto canvas. You will have the opportunity to practice simple printing techniques and put them together to make your finished painting.
Nicola is a CSA survivor who uses many forms of artwork and creativity to aid her own healing work. She believes that art can express what cannot always be put into spoken words, and that the process of creating can give the mind a break from difficult thoughts.

Shared Voices; Honoured Stories - Playback Theatre Workshop

Fri, 22nd March, 2-4pm
Age guide 18+

Al (The Artist Formerly Known As Michael) is a CSA Survivor Arts Activist. As a part of his healing journey, he returned to university to study Drama, Education & Community Theatre.
Early on, during his studies he discovered a passion for Playback Theatre, a form of theatre which draws on building community and shared experiences through honouring the everyday stories we carry with us. No previous experience is required for this workshop, but a willingness try something new and bring our own stories stories of connection is highly encouraged.

SKIN (work in progress) Stand-Up Comedy Show

Fri 22nd March, 7.30pm doors, 8-9pm show
Age guide 14+

Give us a cheer if you’ve got skin? WELL THEN, THIS IS THE SHOW FOR YOU!
 A new show of story based chaos with heart and peculiar from award-winning comedian and mental health advocate Harriet Dyer (Comedy Central, SKY TV, Rosie Jones’s Disability Comedy Extravaganza, The Russell Howard Hour and winner of 2022 Edinburgh Fringe Neurodiversity Representation Award).
“Harriet Dyer is everything I love about the fringe” 
**** Broadway Baby
"We shouldn't underestimate the importance of Harriet Dyer's show”
***** Neurodiverse Review

Mini Gel-Plate Printing with Toni

Sat 23rd March, 11am-1pm
Age guide 18+

During the workshop you will learn the basics of using mini gel-plates to create mono prints in a supportive setting. No experience necessary, just the willingness to give it a go! At the end you'll take away a cloth napkin with your very own colourful design.
Toni has always loved being creative but got a bit disrupted in her early years by some adverse experiences. Since then she has funded herself through art school and loves the creative process as it gives her the means to experiment and express herself.

Writing Imagery with Jemima Foxtrot

Sat 23rd March, 2-3.30pm
Age guide 18+

Using exciting and surprising imagery in our writing is what makes it really sing. In this workshop, we will explore our survivorship by creating gorgeous and grizzly images both individually and in our small groups. Join Jemima Foxtrot in a safe(r) writing space to explore different facets of our experiences and create new material.
Jemima Foxtrot is a writer, performer, theatre-maker and facilitator working in the UK and Germany.

Open Mic Night hosted by Jemima Foxtrot & Viv Gordon

Sat 23rd March, 7pm doors, 7.30-9.30pm show
Age guide 14+

Come and support local talent at our supportive, informal open mic night that features the voices of the CSA survivor community, co-hosted by Jemima Foxtrot and Viv Gordon.
Everybody is welcome to come, listen to and support the performers.

Performing slots are reserved for CSA survivors.

Sunday Social

Sun, 24th March, 11am-3pm | Age guide 14+
Drop-in event, no pre-booking required

Join us to finish this year's pop-up cultural space in style with tea, cake and some drop-in workshop activities:
How to bedazzle your life… (or at least your nails...) with Chris
I am a CSA survivor and thriver with a BA in Fine Art and a passion for sharing my skills. I will provide guidance and materials to celebrate your own stripes your own way!

Vegan nail varnish and acetone free remover. So that we can be kind to ourselves and others. No experience necessary, please bring a sense of humour and the willingness to have a go!

Friends of the environment with Shaikh
During the social you will learn easy and friendly ways of planting a variety of seeds, in a supportive setting.

Shaikh enjoys maintaining their own plants as it’s a relaxing and accessible hobby. Come along to enjoy the space to grow your own hope, with no judgement or expectations!