Call for children to submit art to Leeds-wide 'Covid Diaries' project

As previously reported, the Yorkshire Evening Post has teamed up with Leeds City Council and developer CEG to launch the Covid Dairies project which aims to capture the living history of the coronavirus pandemic by collecting the experiences of people across Leeds.

The initiative - thought to be the first of its kind in the district - will gather stories and reflections from as many people as possible and place them on public record for future generations.

Entries can be submitted through the likes of video diaries, blogs, photos, poems, songs - and artwork which is this week being highlighted by organisers to coincide with Children's Art Week, which runs from June 29 to July 19.

Ziad Abou Elela, 12, from Roundhay, is one Leeds youngster who has already submitted artwork to the Covid Diaries website.

The Roundhay School pupil's creations include a piece called 'Kind' which says: "A big thank you to all my family that is helping me with the homework and finally a big thanks to all the teachers who are helping us a lot."

He said: "It has been very exciting to do lots of pictures for the Covid Diaries project and I will continue to think of new ideas during Children’s Art Week which show how I feel at the moment.”

Coun Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “Over the past months, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how essential creativity and the visual arts are for learning, connecting and wellbeing.

"While our venues, cultural organisations and some school buildings may be closed, engaging in the visual arts is more important than ever.

"By giving people this chance to document their stories and experiences, together we can create a lasting record of this unprecedented chapter in the story of Leeds.”

Aisling Ramshaw from CEG said: “Children’s Art Week will see thousands of children and their families taking part in fun, creative activities for three weeks in June and July.

"There are lots of online activities to help kids be inspired, engaged and entertained by art.

“We hope that as part of the Leeds Covid Diaries project their artwork will be submitted so we can capture another piece of the city’s history during this challenging time.”

For more information on the Covid Diaries project or to enter work, visit www.coviddiaries.co.uk.

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