A large flock of birds, some made of fabric, some of papier-mache, hang from the nave roof of a south Bradford church. Printed patchwork squares, stencilled with swallows in flight, adorn the church entrance, glass birds hang from a tree while a video installation of starlings in formation a projected onto the sides of a large white circular yurt filling a side aisle.
This is the launch of FLOCK, an art exhibition at St Stephen’s Church, West Bowling, which has brought together a wide variety of local people - Christians, Muslims and those of no faith - in an ambitious community 
arts project. Led by artists Shaeron Caton-Rose and Linda Baines (pictured left), local people have been learning to use textiles, glass art, print making and video projection to develop a series of striking art works based loosely around the parables of Jesus – the birds of the air representing the local community, the mustard tree representing the kingdom of God.
Work on the project began in April this year as an arts project for SHINE, a community organisation based in St Stephen’s church which draws in hundreds of local people each week of all ages, faiths and ethnicities in a variety of training events and activities. Activities range from gardening or exercise classes, to money management and job skills.
The FLOCK arts project began eight weeks ago, when artist Shaeron Caton-Rose, who has lived in Bradford, and is now based in Knaresborough, became artist-in-residence at St Stephen’s Church. She was joined for the project by glass artist, Linda Baines, who is married to the Bishop of Leeds, Nick Baines. Shaeron has worked with several churches and community groups, and developed FLOCK to enable local people to gain skills in textiles, print making, glass, and pottery to create striking art works, some of which are still in the making.
Work continues on The Mustard Tree (pictured right), a series of large, 4 metre panels which will form a screen to create a quiet prayer area in the church. The panels use mosaics, textiles and stained glass.
For Shaeron, the overall theme is the beauty of community. ”The flock of birds is based on the idea of many individuals making a community together.
“ In the Yurt, ‘Murmer’ with prints created by members of the community has starlings in formation, known as a ‘murmaration’. Starlings are seen as a bit rough around the edges, the ‘bovver boys’ of the bird world. Yet they make the most beautiful and mesmerising display when flying together in community. Those who are often seen as the underclass in today’s society are those who can teach us about the true beauty of community.”
(Pictured above, Linda Baines, Shaeron Caton-Rose, Sarah Hinton, leader of SHINE, and Luke Owens, Chair of SHINE)
To find out more about Flock, and the work of Shine, visit the website http://www.shinewestbowling.org.uk/