MANDALAS have been brightening up Stratford town centre.
A ‘Kindness Shop’ opened last week in Bell Court courtesy of the RSC and artist Saadia Hipkiss who is working with locals and shoppers to create large, colourful artworks – known as mandalas – to be displayed in the square’s empty shops.
Sponsored by Bell Court, and supported by a grant from Stratford Town Trust, the ‘Art Warming’ project takes inspiration from ‘The Kindness Rock Project’ where people paint and place colourful rocks about for others to find. Similarly, the RSC has been asking people to share messages of hope and kindness and leave them around town.
Shoppers are also asked to share who had been their rock, helping them overcoming the difficulties of the last 12 months. Many took part in the recording thanking family members, friends, nature and key workers for all their support during the last year. It will be played in the shop on Saturday (April 24), to celebrate the final day of the project and to coincide with Shakespeare’s Birthday.
