Lockdown Exhibition Tackles Social Isolation in Berkhamsted

Open Door, the community space on Berkhamsted High Street, is sharing local people’s experiences of lockdown through its art exhibition ‘Your World’.  

Back in June, Open Door asked the Berkhamsted community to send in their art and a few words about their life during lockdown. More than 60 people responded – from children to professional artists. Open Door shared the art and stories on Facebook and Instagram, and now they’ve turned the virtual exhibition into a real-life exhibition. 

Open Door founder Joan Fisher explains: ‘We were so sad that we were unable to welcome people to our exhibition space during lockdown. We also knew a lot of people would be missing regular human contact, so we came up with the idea of bringing an exhibition into their homes, every day, through social media.

‘We chose the theme ‘Your World: A window into life since lockdown’ because so many people were using creativity to express their experience of those strange times. We know from the feedback that the daily art and stories really helped others feel less isolated.’

Artist Liz Grammenos says: ‘Painting each day gave me a focus and time to put aside all the cares and worries about the pandemic. It kept me positive! The Your World exhibition gave me a great sense of togetherness and made me feel I was not alone in this.’

One of the younger artists, Boden Hay, age 9, says: ‘I’m really proud that my Fortnite picture is in a proper exhibition, and I’m pleased that it is hanging next to Max’s painting. Max is one of the friends I played Fortnite with during lockdown when we couldn’t see each other.’

The exhibition features paintings, photos, ceramics and more, as well as the story each artist shared about their life in lockdown.  

Many of the pieces of art are for sale, as well as prints and cards – helping to raise money for Open Door’s work to tackle isolation in the community.  

Open Door is at 360-364 High Street, Berkhamsted. The exhibition is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 11am to 2pm, until 9 September.  

Open Door have grown quickly over the last three years, and are now reviewing their services and premises. They’d love YOUR help in shaping their next phase. To answer a few questions – even if you don’t know much about what they currently offer – please visit www.opendoorberkhamsted.co.uk. The survey closes on 28 August – thank you.