Poppies With Purpose is our very special fringe exhibition for Penistone Arts Week, taking place at St John’s Church, Penistone.
The response so far has been genuinely inspiring, with artists, makers, musicians, filmmakers and creatives of all kinds already expressing an interest in taking part. What’s becoming clear already is that this won’t simply be an exhibition — it will be a creative community response to remembrance, reflection, peace and hope.
First and foremost, Poppies With Purpose is a charitable exhibition supporting two incredibly important causes:
- The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, in thanks and remembrance of veterans, animals and all those who serve, or have served, to help keep Britain safe.
- St John’s Church, the much-loved heart of our community, who are generously hosting the event whilst also fundraising to repair their church roof and tower.
Remembrance season is about far more than looking backwards. It is also about unity, compassion, peace and community moving forwards together. Following the incredible success of Penistone Arts Week this past March — with 77 events across 10 days — it feels like the perfect opportunity for our wonderfully creative community to come together once again and interpret remembrance in imaginative, thoughtful and deeply personal ways.
We would love this exhibition to be filled with creativity in all its forms. Whether your response is traditional or contemporary, subtle or bold, joyful or reflective — all creative interpretations are welcome. Red, white or purple poppies, themes of peace, resilience, nature, sacrifice, community, healing, hope or remembrance itself — this is an opportunity to create something meaningful and heartfelt and thought provoking in your own unique voice.
The exhibition is planned to run from Monday 2nd until Saturday 14th November, transforming St John’s Church into a vibrant and immersive creative space filled with colour, texture, music, storytelling and art.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to purchase artwork and handmade pieces throughout the exhibition.
As this is a charitable event, we are inviting creatives to either:
- Fully donate a piece or pieces of work (no minimum or maximum within reason), or
- Donate 30% of any sales made during the exhibition in support of the two causes.
We are also very keen to involve community groups, schools, children’s groups, crochet, knitting and craft groups, and anyone who may be able to help us creatively “dress” the church with handmade poppies, installations and collaborative displays, so please spread the word.
In fact we have two great knitting patterns ideal for everyone (if you’re more than a novice, please feel free to create your own or embellish in any way) and we’d love people to create as many as possible so we can adorn the church arch with poppies – choose your colour – red for remembrance, white for peace or purple for the animals, depending on preference.
If this exhibition is something you feel inspired to be part of, we would absolutely love to hear from you. This truly feels like something very special is beginning to grow.
Contact us at penistoneartsweek@gmail.com or use our contact form.