During the Summer term, women at Dolphin Women’s Centre in Washwood Heath explored creativity and the natural world at Create & Change, working alongside multidisciplinary artist and workshop facilitator Sharonjit Kaur Sutton.
Inspired by the birds that live around us, the sessions brought together art-making, personal stories and conversations about local wildlife, giving participants the opportunity to try something new. From creating bird-inspired artwork to working collaboratively on a giant pair of bird wings, the term encouraged participants to explore their creativity while reflecting on the world around them.
Sharonjit’s creative practice spans art and graphic design, with a particular interest in education, arts, heritage and community impact. Her work often draws inspiration from surrealism and the fascinating world of birds, making her a natural fit for a term focused on exploring our relationship with nature.
Throughout the sessions, participants discovered the birds found in their local area, shared personal stories and experiences connected to birds and explored how we can all play a part in protecting local wildlife. One of the central creative projects was a collaborative set of giant bird wings, bringing together individual ideas and contributions into a shared piece of artwork. Participants also explored making their own bags for bird feed mixes, connecting creative activities with practical ways to engage with the wildlife around them.
For Sharonjit, creativity can offer opportunities to build confidence, develop relationships and explore new ways of expressing ourselves.
“Having the opportunity to be immersed in the process of creativity lets you lose those inhibitions, escape daily stresses and develop positive self-regard.”
She also reflected on how creativity is often undervalued in everyday life, despite its role in helping us process the world and understand our place within it. This approach was central to the Create & Change sessions. By encouraging participants to experiment, explore ideas and work together, the project offered a welcoming space for women to engage with creativity on their own terms.
As Sharonjit puts it, creativity can help us “develop positive self-regard” – a reminder that making art doesn’t have to be about artistic ability or a finished product. It can be about the freedom to experiment, the confidence to participate and the connections we build with others.
The giant bird wings became a way for participants to bring their ideas together, creating something collectively rather than working in isolation.
“It was a wonderful day. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks everyone for making me smile.”
“It was a wonderful day for us to enjoy each other’s company. So blessed to have such a lovely group of ladies together… truly a sisterhood.”
We’d like to thank Sharonjit and everyone who took part in this term’s Create & Change sessions for sharing their creativity, ideas and experiences.
