Visitors, patients and staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital recently had the opportunity to explore a unique community art exhibition which celebrated the rich diversity of communities across Central Scotland.
The four-week exhibition, Words of Welcome, was organised by the Central Scotland Regional Equality Council (CSREC) in partnership with Artlink Central and was displayed at the hospital during Refugee Week.
The exhibition featured a collection of creative work exploring themes of welcome, belonging, displacement and identity. Highlights included open letters from organisations supporting the rights of refugees and racial minorities, alongside bookbinding projects focusing on themes of travel, roots and home. Community members also contributed their own responses to the theme Words of Welcome.
CSREC Chairperson Paul highlighted the importance of recognising and celebrating the contribution of people from diverse backgrounds.
“CSREC has long been an organisation committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of racial minorities. This exhibition showcased the strength of our communities and shone a light on the experiences and contributions of people from diverse backgrounds.”
Artlink Central, which coordinates NHS Forth Valley’s arts programme, supported the exhibition as part of its ongoing work to bring creative projects into healthcare settings. The exhibition was developed around themes of inclusion, community strength and partnership working, helping to create spaces where different experiences and perspectives could be shared and valued.
The display formed part of this year’s Refugee Week celebrations, which focused on the theme of Courage, and provided an opportunity to reflect on the experiences of people seeking refuge and the importance of fostering welcoming and inclusive communities.
Arts Coordinator for Artlink Central, Silvia Sinibaldi, said: “At Artlink Central, we believe in the power of art to open up space for stories that might otherwise go unheard. Co-curating Words of Welcome with CSREC was a privilege, bringing together creative voices to reflect on experiences of refuge, welcome and belonging in a setting where those themes feel especially resonant.
Refugee Week is a vital moment to amplify those voices, and we’re proud to have played a part in making that possible.”
The exhibition demonstrated how art can encourage conversations, build understanding and celebrate the diversity that strengthens communities across Forth Valley and beyond.
