Ascension Arts Week

Monday 14th – Saturday 19th July 2008

Back in the autumn of 2007, Natalie John-Baptiste was becoming increasingly frustrated at the negative way in which Newham, and Custom House in particular, tends to be portrayed in the media. A long-standing member of the Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders, Natalie was aware that she had the privilege of growing up in an increasingly diverse community which took justifiable pride in its heritage, and wanted to find a way of highlighting its achievements.

Of growing up in Custom House Natalie reflects: “People don't think anything good can happen and we quickly learn to just make the best of what we have got. But there are many of us who want more and won't settle for just anything. We want to make the best out of our talents; we want to leave our mark on this world but it’s hard.”

Working with a small team from Ascension she put together a proposal for an arts week which would celebrate and develop the creativity of both her peers and of young people and children in the local area.

A series of workshops ran at the Ascension Church Centre from Monday 14th July to Thursday 17th and included card and mask making, junk and recycled fashion and a short course in calligraphy. The workshops were well attended, and even parents who were just dropping off their children had the opportunity to join in! The work produced during the week then became the starting point for an exhibition at the centre which also featured work from local photographers.

This first Ascension Arts Week concluded with a fashion show on Saturday 19th July which showcased the creations of local young designers, modelled by members of the Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders. Attended by around one hundred people, the evening was hailed as a great success!

For Natalie, the fashion show was the culmination of months of hard work and the moment in which she saw her vision become reality. “I was excited watching people make junk fashion with only two days to go! Then the show was here – the make-up, the glitter, the dressing room buzzing! I was so proud of everyone who took part.”

Local resident Diane Harvey reflected: “I thought the show was fantastic and felt very humbled to be part of something so special in the community. There is so much talent in this area and it was a great evening.”

Latoya Odle, whose children took part in both the workshops and the fashion show, pointed out that “it was a great family event. I loved seeing the creative abilities our local youth have being showcased – it was fantastic!”

Chrissie Horton, who along with her husband Bob worked behind the scenes agreed: “It was an absolutely fabulous evening presented by very talented people in Newham – great fun!”

The arts week was a partnership between Ascension Church, the Ascension Eagles and Ascension Community Trust. While church warden Beryl Callison thought the project was great and long-standing church member Steve Chandler pointed out that it was an exciting demonstration of the unity of the Ascension family, vicar Rev Chris Hanson reflected that “there is so much negative press where young people are concerned but this project is just one example of ‘real youngsters’ making their mark with pride.”

Louise Davis, Ascension’s Director of Youth Ministry, worked alongside Natalie for the duration of the project and sees this new initiative as the start of a new phase in the life of Ascension. “I count it a huge privilege to be able to work alongside someone like Natalie who cares so deeply about her community that she wants to give something back for the benefit of others. Young women like Natalie are an inspiration to people in this community – they identify with her, see what she has achieved and it gives them something real to aspire to.”

Natalie John-Baptiste is the winner of the first ever Sharon Small award. Sharon, a lifelong Newham resident, passed away unexpectedly in December 2007 at the age of 42. Sharon’s shortened life was hallmarked by deep friendships, creative enthusiasm and noteworthy service to her community.

Ascension will present the Sharon Small award annually to a person whose life reflects these values.