‘I love listening to people’s ideas – hearing about hopes and experience’

For Gill Sakakini, there is nothing more pleasing than bringing the community together through one of her art projects and she is having a great effect on Shepton Mallet, where she has a fantastic space to run her classes.

Gill is a Pioneer Priest in the Arts in the Church of England and works in community engagement, leading retreats and workshops while speaking and writing on topics relating to Christianity and the Arts.

If that wasn’t enough, she is also an accomplished painter.

Speaking to Somerset’s Alive!, Gill tells about the impact she has had on the town since taking up the role.

She said: “I think about what I do as with the community and from the beginning I joined in with the many great things that were already going on in Shepton Mallet.

“Gradually some distinctive events or activities have created space for people to gather and make art, such as a weekly sketching group in the town park, and other participatory projects that allow everyone to find their place and give permission to make.”

The role has been hugely satisfying for Gill and she said that there is much that enthuses her about it.

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Gill continued: “I love bringing people together through art, both outside and in a pop-up art space, ‘Create@#8’, listening to people’s ideas, seeing what can be produced with encouragement and hearing about hopes, experience – simply being present.”

One such project that has seen diverse members of the community come together was in the first week of July, and was called ‘Imaging the Story’.

It explored the Christian story through art making and art history.

Looking ahead, Gill said that there will be plenty of projects for people to be involved with, as well as a chance to showcase her own artwork.

Gill said: “I’ll be participating in Somerset Arts Weeks Open Studios in September and October, I’m working on an Advent Shed project in December and next May, ‘Spring Greening’ is a week long festival looking at climate care through the arts.”