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Nana Arslanian-Scott

@naas_designs

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Artist & Designer 🎨
Print • Craft • Painting • Commissions
Exhibitions • Private Sales
🇬🇭 Ghanaian Diaspora | 🇬🇧 UK
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Celebrating the Completion of Our Arts Council England–Funded NPO Workshops with Merton Libraries! What an inspiring journey of creativity, cultural discovery, shared learning and connection! Our workshops have brought people together through art, heritage and storytelling, forming new friendships, building relationships and developing creative skills through shared artistic processes and diverse cultural experiences. From exploring Black History, Sub-Saharan African heritage and Ghanaian traditions to discovering the stories behind Adinkra symbols, wax prints, textiles and mask-making, participants have shared knowledge, experiences and inspiration from across the globe. For some, it was an opportunity to celebrate their own heritage; for others, a chance to discover cultures beyond their own. Participants described the workshops as enjoyable, relaxing, entertaining and a real boost to their wellbeing and mental health. A wonderful highlight was the completion of our large collaborative identity mask, bringing together participants’ identities, cultural heritage, values and lived experiences through creative expression. Its intricate contributions reflected inspirations from around the world, including Christingle traditions, Paisley motifs, the green landscapes of Grenada, exquisite Ireland, leadership from Sri Lanka and respect from the UK. We also explored Merton’s rich textile heritage, including the legacy of William Morris, Liberty and the historic textile industries of Merton. But the journey doesn’t end here! Our exhibition is coming to Cannons House, Mitcham, in January 2027, with dates to be announced. Come along, explore the artwork, discover the stories behind the creations and engage with the cultural inspirations, identities and shared experiences represented in this wonderful collaborative project. Different cultures, shared stories, one community through creativity. Thank you to Arts Council England, Merton Libraries, our workshop collaborators and, most importantly, every participant who contributed their creativity, openness and unique story. by @naas_designs
🎭 COLLABORATIVE MASK MAKING – CELEBRATING OUR GLOBAL CULTURAL HERITAGE! 🌍✨ Join us for a creative and inspiring Identity Hub workshop at Pollards Hill Library! Our collaborative mask-making sessions bring together global symbols, colours, patterns and meaningful imagery to visually represent our individual and shared identities. Participants explore their cultural heritage, family histories, personal values and lived experiences, connecting the past, present and future through creative expression. Each mask becomes a unique visual story, celebrating the richness of our diverse backgrounds, traditions, memories and connections. Together, we explore what makes us who we are while recognising the stories that connect us as a community. 🎨 NEXT WORKSHOP – TOMORROW! 📅 Monday 2nd November 2026 ⏰ 10am–1pm 📍 Pollards Hill Library, South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham, CR4 1LT ✨ FREE creative workshop ✨ No previous experience needed ✨ All materials provided ✨ Open to adults aged 16+ ✨ Places available – booking essential! BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE: 🔗 https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/events/culture-and-creativity-npo/identity-hub Thank you to our commissioned local Mitcham 3D Graphic Design Artist Bernadette Gyebi-Ababio! by @naas_designs
Each Adinkra symbol and colour was thoughtfully and carefully selected by participants to represent their individual values, cultural identities, personal beliefs and lived experiences, making each creation a unique expression of who they are and what matters most to them. by @naas_designs
The Made in Merton and Merton Stories workshops have been a wonderful celebration of cultural heritage, creativity and community. Participants described the sessions as calming, uplifting and beneficial to their wellbeing and mental health. Many expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the history and meanings of Adinkra symbols, Ghanaian heritage and the rich cultural history of Pollards Hill delivered by Sarah Gould. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated, shared their stories and embraced the experience, including residents, members of the Ghanaian community, Pollards Hill Ward MP Joan Henry, the MP for Longthornton Ward Brenda Fraser and all our community supporters. Your enthusiasm, contributions and openness made these workshops truly special. Together, we have celebrated our shared heritage, strengthened connections and created meaningful spaces for learning, reflection and belonging. Final Art work to showcase loading! by @naas_designs
The Individual Mask-Making for a Purpose workshop at Beautiful Community brought participants together to explore cultural heritage, identity and belonging. An icebreaker invited everyone to use their initials to describe their heritage, prompting engaging conversations about personal histories and cultural connections. Grace -Greenland shared Grenada as fertile land; Anne -Authentic and Tina -Treasure celebrated Ghana, the land of gold, highlighting its natural resources, including bauxite, oil, cocoa and diamonds. Beverley-Beautiful reflected on Ghana’s beautiful, rich textiles and traditions, while Anne explored authentic Irish identity and challenged cultural stereotypes. Participants shared their histories and experiences in a welcoming, non-judgemental space. The workshop explored the global significance of masks, including their spiritual, storytelling, social, functional, religious and celebratory roles in traditional ceremonies, masquerades and festivals. Discussions also considered the masks people wear in everyday life, and how cultural heritage, traditions, beliefs, memories, coloured fabrics and personal experiences can be expressed through creative practice. References to global masks such as Spanish Day of the dead, 💀 , Caribbean carnival, Italien Venetian masks, London protest masks and much more broadened the conversation, highlighting how masks can communicate identity, solidarity, resistance and social messages. Through individual mask-making, participants transformed their reflections into meaningful creative expressions of their heritage and lived experiences. by @naas_designs
by @naas_designs
🧵 Merton Story: Ghanaian Heritage Textile Workshop 🇬🇭 Join Merton Heritage Service and community arts group Made in Merton for a fun, friendly and creative textile workshop celebrating Merton’s Ghanaian community and heritage! 📍 Pollards Hill Library 📅 Saturday 31 October, 2:30pm 👥 Ages 10+ 🎟️ Book your free space via our events platform. Link in bio! Share your stories and experiences of living, studying and working in Merton, learn more about the borough’s history and explore aspects of Ghanaian culture. You’ll also have the opportunity to help create a special textile artwork celebrating Merton’s Ghanaian community, contributing ideas for the design and trying your hand at block printing fabric. The finished artwork will be exhibited across the borough as part of Merton’s Cultural Impact programme! This workshop is particularly aimed at members of the Ghanaian community, but everyone is welcome. 💛 This Merton Story project is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, we can help celebrate and share Merton’s Ghanaian heritage with current and future generations. by @naas_designs
✨ FREE CREATIVE COURSE – STARTING MONDAY! ✨ Looking for something different to do, learn a new creative skill and meet people in your local community? There’s a FREE Identity Hub workshop starting Monday 5th October, from 10am–1pm at Pollards Hill Library. The sessions explore identity, culture, memories and self-expression through different creative activities. 📸 Monday 26th October: Individual Masks for Purpose 🎨 No previous experience needed 🧰 All materials provided 👥 Open to adults aged 16+ It’s a great opportunity to get creative, explore your identity and create something meaningful along the way. 📍 Pollards Hill Library South Lodge Avenue, Mitcham, CR4 1LT Spaces are limited, so if this sounds like something you or someone you know would enjoy, book your place! 📞 020 8274 5741 🔗 Check the link for booking: https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/events/culture-and-creativity-npo/identity-hub?fbclid=PAdGRzdgUp4SdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAnNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzU2NzA2NzM0MzM1MjQyNwABpyRbSvj6LZpnAsephBXafloQo-6KZb_iZpszrFJ9QjXVz0GP15Z8f_k-2bIX_aem_ywO7s_3_DYQpFN1lpKk22w Feel free to share this with someone who might be interested! ❤️ by @naas_designs
Celebrating our community , our heritage! by @naas_designs
by @naas_designs
During Black History Month, participants took part in a range of creative and cultural activities celebrating Black heritage, identity, history and community. Activities included making reusable “bag for life” designs, sharing images taken by a local photographer, reflecting on the library as a tranquil place during pregnancy, celebrating the arrival of a first grandchild, and sharing a lifelong love of fashion. Participants also explored Ghanaian cultural symbols and heritage, alongside interactive activities such as learning to count from one to ten in Swahili with an accompanying rhyming song. The local MP’s involvement and the sharing of local experiences helped connect the activities to the wider community and its diverse histories. Using creative prompts, participants were encouraged to engage in meaningful conversations about their roots, personal memories, significant objects and experiences that had shaped their lives. Through poems, stories, discussion and art-making, they reflected on their cultural identities, family histories and connections to places and traditions. The sessions created a welcoming space for participants to share their voices, learn from one another and celebrate the richness of their individual and collective heritage, demonstrating how welbeing spaces can bring communities together through creativity, storytelling and cultural exchange. by @naas_designs
by @naas_designs

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