“Seeds germinate, especially those that foster culture, art, community, the sharing of imagination and creativity. (…) Let this be a challenge: come closer — boldness and freedom are often found in listening and in sharing creation.”
The first edition of the “Ronda Ilhéu” Creative Residency was an initiative of the Municipal Chamber of Corvo and featured artist Pedro Hamdan Saramago (b. 1981 – Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil), illustrator, photographer, musician, and author of several works, including “Creatures of the Island of Corvo” (2020).
With strong ties to Corvo (his father is originally from the island), Pedro was on the island from 6 to 17 November, developing a creative project in close interaction with the community. This included creative workshops with young participants, an illustration workshop for adults, and meetings with elderly residents. All activities were free of charge and were carried out in partnership with EBS Mouzinho da Silveira, BBC – Caffé & Lounge, and the Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Corvo, with additional support from Dupla Informal Sargaço.
At the Santa Casa da Misericórdia residential home, on 14 November, the activity “The Story and the Stitch” took place, during which the artist “wandered with the elderly through the pages of his book ‘The Creatures I Found on Corvo Island’. Stories were exchanged, knitting stitches were shared, memories of past times were revisited, and many heartfelt smiles were created. Culture and the unfolding of creative moments must not exclude older generations.”
On 7 and 8 November, the workshop “Imaginary Creatures” was held with pupils from the primary school of EBS Mouzinho da Silveira. Using coloured modelling material, natural elements from the island (such as leaves, branches, shells, and tree growths), and plenty of creativity, children were challenged to imagine and give shape to fantastical creatures — a recurring theme in the artist’s work.
From 11 to 12 November, the workshop “Illustration through Photography + Fanzine” was held for adults. Participants developed illustration techniques using photography, creating magical worlds through images that reflected their own perspective of the island and their lived experiences. These illustrations were later used to create fanzines (one per participant) under the theme “My Imaginary Corvo”.
Two days later, a visit took place at the ‘Planeta Azul’ Nursery and Kindergarten, where a small craft workshop was held — a morning dedicated to “creation, play, and joyful learning (the best of all).”
On the final day of the Creative Residency, the works produced during the workshops (by both children and adults) were presented. The event also included the launch of the book “The Creatures I Found on Corvo Island”, the result of a previous visit to the island and published with the support of the Municipal Chamber of Corvo.
“A late afternoon celebrating a creative and island journey. A moment of intergenerational sharing, free-flowing creativity, and imagination. Because culture can be informal, familiar, and a space for creative expression and wonder. Our thanks to Pedro Hamdan Saramago for accepting this challenge of the ‘Ronda Ilhéu’ Creative Residency, to all partners, to the volunteers who contributed greatly, to all those present, to the elderly who opened the doors to their stories, and to the children who had the courage to believe in imagination.”
Written by: Vânia Chagas
