"Reflections & Portraits: Faces of Belonging" is our inclusive All Nations 2gether Community Arts Programme for 2026
Workshops have held across Renfrewshire in a diverse range of groups and organisations, both in-house, outreach workshops and at Gala days and Festivals.
Participants are invited to explore identity, self-image, and self-expression by looking into a mirror and creating a self-portrait. It’s not just about facial features—it’s about seeing yourself with kindness, strength, and story.
Reflecting on who you have been, and who you are, and who you wish to be, celebrating achievements and aspirations. These sessions are suitable for all levels with no artistic experience necessary. Emphasis is placed on the reflective process over creative perfection.
Their theme for this milestone year, Reflections, invites us to pause, take stock and explore how our experiences, stories and creativity shape our mental health, individually and collectively. We are designing a mindful colouring project, based on our self portraits to be shared in the local community.
Let yourself slow down and enjoy the simple rhythm of pencil or pen strokes as you fill the page; each mark you make is a small moment of calm, a chance to notice your thoughts, breathe a little deeper, and take part in a creative space designed to help you reconnect with yourself.
PUBLIC EVENTS:
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IN-Ren Community Knowledge Festival Workshop Saturday 30 May 10:00am – 4:30pm
Lagoon Leisure Centre, Paisley
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Paisley Central Library Workshop Wednesday 3rd June 2pm-4.30pm
High Street Paisley
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Love’n’Grace Crafters Workshop Saturday 13th June 10:00am – 4:00pm
Mossvale Hall 60 Greenock Road Paisley PA3 2LE
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Refugee Festival Scotland Workshop and Exhibition Wednesday 17th June 2026 12.00pm - 3.00pm
Mossvale Hall 60 Greenock Road Paisley PA3 2LE
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Sma' Shot Day Workshop and Exhibition Saturday 4th July 2026 12.00pm - 4.00pm
Abbey Close Paisley Town Centre
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Olden Goldies Wednesday 29th July 1.30pm - 3.00pm
Soutar's Cafe Well Street Paisley
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Tannahill Gala Day Saturday 8th August 12.00pm - 3.00pm
Tannahill Centre Blackstoun Road Paisley
The Mirror
We have also unveiled “The Mirror”, a collaborative work by local primary 7 children and Dr Tawona Sithole.
The children explored ideas of identity and self‑image, writing individual lines woven together into a shared poem.
Themes such as reflection, personal messages, and future hopes emerged naturally from their words. Their voices invite us to consider who we are, how we see ourselves, and how our stories and backgrounds shape our sense of belonging.
"The Mirror" is available to read at our events in English, Arabic, Farsi and Ukrainian.
Funding for this project has been received from the Renfrewshire Culture, Heritage and Events Fund (CHEF), the Scottish Refugee Council and MigrationWork.