Community art highlights nature's power

Artworks created at workshops where people were encouraged to notice the "fleeting" beauty of spring have gone on display in Warwickshire.

The workshops at National Trust property Packwood House in Lapworth were led by Salma Zulfiqar, its artist in residence, in April.

Collaborating with the site's head gardener Abbey Gulliver, the project by Ms Salma, from Solihull, focused "on bringing communities together to save the planet as we face increasing challenges with the environment and food security", the trust said.

The exhibition called Flower Power, which more than 150 people helped create, will be shown at the property over the summer.

The spring art workshops aimed to encourage participants "to notice the fleeting beauty and joy of nature’s confetti".

Ms Zulfiqar said they also aimed to highlight the medicinal value of blossoms and how they helped to restore nature.

"We are losing blossoms, plants and insects at a catastrophic rate," she said.

"It's a really important time to bring communities together to help protect the environment and to help stop hate in spreading.

"We have been working with people from all faiths and cultures for these artworks which help empower everyone with knowledge and contributes towards good health as well as a healthier planet."

Ms Zulfiqar set up ARTconnects in 2017 and was awarded for her work last year and also received a British Empire Medal in the Kings Birthday Honours.

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