There's been a long gap since our last blog, but although the Heritage Lottery funded programme is now complete, with final reports and the leather-bound books containing all the interviews having been delivered, the project continues in various other ways.
First the Apna continues, albeit with a reduced programme. Arry Nessa has managed to sustain an exhibition and workshop programme at the centre in Haslingden, and this looks to carry on into the winter months. The Apna took part in the Open Studios weekend with an exhibition of work by Ranaaz Shahid and Fatima Zahra Hassan.
Our links with the Aawaz Centre in Accrington have developed, and we had a key part to play mounting exhibitions at Accrington Market and Library (pictured above). The exhibitions outlined the work of women who use the Aawaz centre, led by artists from the Different Moons project led by Shamshad Khan and including Maryam Golubeva and Rahima Begum.
The Moonwatcher play, written by Shamshad Khan and Bob Frith is still in development, with funding being sought for the making and rehearsal, as well as a soundtrack.
Finally its worth mentioning that this summer Arry Nessa was awarded the prestigious trophy for Advocacy in Art at the Living Islam Festival. So, all in all, despite the completion of the first stage of Different Moons, the influence and networks associated with the project go from strength to strength.
