Skipton Forget Me Knots Launch Date

Skipton International is pleased to announce the launch of ‘Skipton Forget Me Knots’ in partnership with ArtHouse Jersey, a large-scale community project that employs creativity to help young people process and navigate their emotional journey during COVID19.

The project will see children take part in specially facilitated workshops creating paper flowers while being guided by expert facilitators to explore their experiences and the emotions these might have evoked since the outbreak of the pandemic. All of the flowers that they create will then be brought together and used by a leading international artist to create a spectacular, large-scale sculptural piece of public art that will be exhibited in a prominent location in Jersey. The piece will tell the unheard story of children’s experience of the pandemic, while also acting as a symbol of our unity as a community.

Young people have been living through a very difficult and confusing period as they experience isolation, a complete change of routine, a loss of connections, huge uncertainty and a feeling of being overwhelmed with the challenges lying ahead for them. As they begin to return to school, their teachers will be helping them to explore and process these sentiments: this project will assist them fulfil this important function.

Tom Dingle, Director of ArtHouse Jersey, said: “This project has been designed by teacher Jacque Rutter who was looking to reconnect with her students as they return to school. I think in Jersey we are acutely aware that all of our experiences of the lock down have been different: for some it has been a time to rest, recuperate and spend time with family, for others it might have been a time of pain, illness, worry and loneliness. This project will help young people open up about what their experiences might have been helping teachers and peers to support those who might need it most.”

Aaron Walden, Commercial Manager at Skipton International, said: “We all need a symbol of unity and positivity at the moment and are proud to be delivering this project along with ArtHouse Jersey. Creativity has been such an important outlet during this pandemic for adults and children alike, allowing us to break from the challenges of our day and to reconnect with our emotions and mental wellbeing. Through our partnership with ArtHouse we hope to encourage more people to celebrate local art, either by practicing a form of art or by visiting what is bound to be a very impactful final sculpture as part of this project.”

Skipton Forget Me Knots has been developed in partnership with the Department of Children, Young People, Education and Skills (CYPES) and third sector organisations including Youthful Minds, MIND, Mencap and Jersey Youth Service. It is also being supported by the One Foundation. The project marks the ninth year in which Skipton International has worked alongside ArtHouse Jersey to deliver large-scale, meaningful art that benefits the local community.