Creativity through Conversation Art workshops with They Did I Can Too

Saturday 28 February, 2pm – 5pm

In this fun and interactive session delivered by They Did I Can Too founder Ngozi Okorie, participants will learn about important historical individuals whilst participating in bringing a chosen figure to life through the creation of an amazing collage.

This session is for young people aged 6+, who are invited to bring an adult along with them. All materials will be provided, and no experience is necessary, participants will just need enthusiasm and willingness to collaborate.

Please note that this is a group activity and the collage will be kept by They Did I Can Too and displayed for the community to enjoy at our Open House festival on 28 March.

This workshop is free, places can be booked in advance or arrive early to sign-up on the day. Suitable for ages 6+, plus an accompanying adult.

Ngozi Okorie

Founder of They Did I Can Too

Born in south London, They Did I Can Toowas created by Ngozi Okorie as a resource to inspire, encourage and inform. The platform showcases contributions made by UK historical Black, Mixed Race Black and Asian individuals who are often overlooked in mainstream tellings of UK history. Through collaborative projects, They Did I Can Too celebrates UK historical individuals who were either born in the UK or settled on these shores and made positive impacts locally, nationally, or internationally.

Ngozi and They Did I Can Too look forward to bringing these historical individuals to life through creative art and conversation workshops as part of Peckham Sessions 2026.

Saturday 7 March, 2pm – 5pm

A celebration of Black historical individuals through conversation, art and drawing with pencils. Participants will draw alongside and be guided by Sky Arts finalist and tutor Alvin Kofi while listening to a live conversation between the artist and founder of They Did I Can Too, Ngozi Okorie.

No prior drawing experience is necessary, and materials will be provided, including graphite and coloured pencils. Participants are welcome to bring their own materials if preferred (no paint, please).

Please note that drawings created in the workshop will be kept by They Did I Can Too and may be displayed for the community to enjoy at our Open House festival on 28 March.

Workshops are free but places are limited. Suitable for for adults aged 18+.

Alvin Kofi

Multidisciplinary Artist and Storyteller

A second-generation West Indian based in the UK, Kofi’s career has been strongly associated with the Black UK arts movement. His creative perspective centres around the Black Body – his muse – through which he explores traditional notions of African culture and their place in the historical narrative of the world we live in. Kofi regularly returns to portraiture and 2021 he participated in the Ruth Borchard Self Portrait Prize online exhibition and was highly commended. In 2025 Kofi, a former Sky Arts Portrait finalist, returned to Sky Arts as a guest tutor presenting his Master Class.

Kofi’s work includes a Royal Mail stamp commission celebrating Windrush 75, several collaborations with the charity, Hospital Rooms, and the creation of a globe for prestigious national project The World Reimagined, conceptualised by Yinka Shonibare in 2022 to improve understanding of the Trans-Atlantic Slave trade and its impact on the political and social environments we live in today. In 2025 Kofi was commissioned to create commemorative public artwork celebrating classical musician Samuel Coleridge Taylor.

Saturday 14 March, 2pm – 5pm

In this workshop, participants will celebrate Black historical individuals through conversation and art using paints and markers. Participants will experience being guided by acclaimed street artist Carleen De Sözer, whilst listening to an informative related conversation between Carleen and They Did I Can Too founder Ngozi Okorie.

Paint and markers – as well as aprons and gloves – will be provided, but participants might want to wear something they don’t mind getting paint on. No experience is necessary.

Please note that art created in the workshop will be kept by They Did I Can Too and may be displayed for the community to enjoy at our Open House festival on 28 March.

Workshops are free but places are limited. Suitable for for adults aged 18+.

Carleen De Sözer

Street Artist

Carleen De Sözer was born in Birmingham, England in the late seventies and describes living the life of an artist as her only destination. Carleen is now one of the UK’s most skilled and diverse street artists and producing large murals all around the UK has exposed street art lovers worldwide to her work.

With a passion for creating spaces for other artists to be seen, Carleen has curated several exhibitions at venues like Tate Britain and worked with partners like the Mayor of London, Paint the Change, HMS Prisons, Disney, Adidas and numerous London Councils.

As co-founder of WOM Collective Carleen’s focus was on creating exposure and work opportunities for female street artists. Carleen also develops street art workshops for a variety of public audiences on an ongoing basis while serving as a patron for All City Arts and mentoring students in need of extra support.