Current Exhibition:
To view details of the works on exhibition click on the image above
a-KIN
relationships: competition or cooperation.

Shield Lichen – Artist print by Jill Impey 2021
A ‘live’ exhibition of sculpture, drawing, textile, and video, curated by Participate Contemporary Artspace, challenging the competitive aspect of Darwin’s theories of natural selection, as part of Darwin Festival Shrewsbury 22.
Our theme is ‘kinship’ within and among species – their interdependence and diversity, with a focus on often overlooked plant life. We celebrate their ingenuity in ensuring their survival and if we support them, ultimately that of our planet.
The Unitarian Church, High Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LR
Monday 7th – Sunday 13th February 2022
11a.m -3.30 pm
Free admission
As part of this exhibition there is also an artist lead creative workshop

Close-up photography of Sphagnum Moss
“This is a time to take a lesson from mosses”
(Robin Wall Kimmerer, botanist, academic and award-winning writer)
Mosses have survived 350 million years of catastrophe. They are ecologically important, absorbing huge quantities of water, helping to soak up rainfall and create humidity, offering a home for creatures, like woodlice and nematodes. There are around 1,000 bryophyte species of mosses and liverworts in the UK. Many require microscopes to distinguish between closely related species. How can we get to know and learn from them?
For this free workshop during the a-KIN exhibition, curated by Participate Contemporary Artspace, Jill Impey will introduce brief artist’s guide to discovering and learning from mosses. There will be some fun drawing and mark making, and a sharing of words to make poetry ‘snippets.’
No arts experience necessary, all you will need is a pencil / pen and a few sheets of A4 paper.
Suitable for Adults & Children Aged 8 upwards
No unaccompanied children, all persons attending must book a ticket prior to the event.
Sunday 13th February 2022 only, 1 -2 pm
The Unitarian Church, High Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1LR
Booking essential via: shrewsburyunitarians@gmail.com
and online via zoom: booking through Eventbrite
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/akin-exhibition-workshop-tickets-251946377397
Please not there is limited availability of live workshop tickets.
Please note there is stairs access only up to the workshop room.
Past Exhibitions
WINDOWS OF LIGHT
an exhibition by Participate Studio Artists to be viewed through the windows
SPRING 2021

The Unitarian Church, Shrewsbury and
Participate Contemporary Artspace present
Second Sight:
light through the trees
A virtual online exhibition ~ 9th – 24th February 2021
Responses to Darwin‘s later ruminations on the interrelationships of all life
Second Sight is a virtual exhibition presented by the Unitarian Church, Shrewsbury and Participate Contemporary Artspace as part of DarwIN Festival Shrewsbury, curated by Participate Studio Artist Jan Hunt hosted by Artsteps.
The works in the exhibition by selected Participate Studio and other invited Artists respond to Darwin‘s later ruminations on the interrelationships of all life through creative process in relation to Darwin’s thinking path and structural thought forms.
To see the exhibtion – click on this link from 9th to 24th February 2021
Thinking Paths & Creative Mapping
Click here to book your FREE ticket
A short talk about the online exhibition: Second Sight and the mapping project ‘A Tree Walk’, both curated by Participate Studio Artist Jan Hunt.
4pm to 5.30pm 14th February 21
Jan expands on the creative process in relation to Darwin’s thinking path and structural thought forms. The talk is followed by a short creative mapping activity with Participate Studio Artists Jill Impey and Niki Holmes (you will need a biro and 2 sheets of A4 paper to take part.
Add Your Heading Text Here
Light! 10 – 29/8/20
Step out into the Light with a new exhibition from Participate! Coming out of lockdown and moving back into the light, a sense of optimism returning….
Participate artists and invited guests have explored the theme of Light! Showing artwork together for the first time since the Covid19 lockdown in this inaugural virtual gallery exhibition.
This show represents the first foray into producing an on-line exhibition using a 3D-Virtual Platform for the Participates Studios Artist that curated Light! Further Virtual exhibitions will be created by Studio Artists in the coming months.
