Blahs in Seacroft

A sense of 'home' is an important concept for the Blahs. And so we have tried to do as much work as possible with the people who live on our own doorstep. This includes projects in the building where we are based, East Leeds Family Learning Centre, and with surrounding schools and communities in Seacroft.

East Leeds Family Learning Centre

We have been based in an office at ELFLC for six years, and during that time we have aimed to involve users of the building in our work as much as possible, by placing artistic processes into the work environment.

East Leeds Family Learning Centre is a highly innovative organisation, creating practical opportunities to help local people change their futures. A large programme of courses are available, giving adults the opportunity to retrain, learn new skills or qualify for further education. Courses are provided by local colleges Thomas Danby and the College of Art & Technology and attract local people from Seacroft Estate. Alongside these courses the building hosts the Second Chance School which provides educational opportunities for young people aged between 18 - 25yrs who do not have the qualifications or experience to take advantage of current provision.

The first project we ran was called Foxwood Stories, and explored the history of the centre, which used to be Foxwood School. Graphic artist, David Collins, worked with ex-pupils spanning over thirty years of the school's existence, to produce an exhibition which was displayed in one of thebuilding's tall stair wells.

More recently, the Secret Garden project was focused around the building of a new public sculpture in the grassy quad at the centre of the building. There were also drama and creative writing elements.

Find out more about the Secret Garden project

Read the Secret Garden writings (collated and written by local writer, Maureen Laurence)