Growing Up Creative + in Enfield 🌱

💭 I think I've always been surrounded by art whether I knew it or not.

Hello! I'm Cheniece, a neurodivergent multidisciplinary artist living with an invisible chronic illness based in Enfield, North London.

Growing up with music flooding my house, dancing around to the top 40 on the TV, always getting messy with paint, glue and glitter - my mum would always find events around London and in our local area to attend, often for free. She felt is was so important for me get involved, stay curious and connect with my creativity.

Here are some key art engagement experiences I had as a young person living in Enfield that I feel enriched and influenced the artist I am today:

Summer Uni ☀️

I attended Enfield's Summer Uni, a local initiative that offered free or low-cost activities for young people during the long summer break. It was aimed at 11-19 year old (up to 25 for those with special educational needs). Those six weeks always felt endless, and I’m sure when they came about many parents felt the pressure to fill every day with something meaningful - but that's expensive, unsustainable, and honestly just difficult. I still remember the excitement each May when the Summer Uni brochure would be released - a bright, action-packed guide listing 20 to 50 different activities across 30 days. Then making sure I was outside the old Dugdale building ready to sign up!

There was everything: forming a singing group in Southgate, joining the local dance organisation Platinum Performing Arts in Edmonton, learning music production on a fully decked-out traveling bus, cooking different cuisines at youth hubs, and exploring coding, animation, fashion design, and more. I chose Dance, Singing, Music Production and Jewellery making.

Then at the end of the 6 weeks there was a big showcase, celebrating we had created and achieved. I absolutely loved it! Through my time at Summer Uni, I experienced a different way of learning - one that wasn’t focused on grades, percentages, or competition. It was about pressure-free creation, in a supportive environment led by facilitators who saw endless potential in every one of us.

These arts experiences helped me see so much of my borough, meeting curious, like-minded young people from all over Enfield. It didn’t matter what school you went to, we were just kids, brought together by shared interests and a want to create.

Enfield Dance Festivals 🪩

From the ages of 7-16, I was an eager participant in Enfield's annual Dance Festival at Millfield Theatre in Edmonton representing both my primary and secondary school in the annual sharings.

It was usually a highly anticipated showcase over the year, where we'd spend time working out what the piece was going to be about, learn routines during and after school with teachers (especially with the lovely Miss Wynter!), get dressed up then perform in a theatre with neighbouring schools in the spring! I remember dancing ballroom, contemporary, popping, locking, Bharatanatyam and break dancing. Such a great way to be exposed to different styles of movement, making and developing confidence and enjoyment.

Seasonal Community Events 🐝

Park events were at the centre of my interactions with my community; Enfield Town, Ponder End, Albany, Jubilee, Broomfield. They were hotspots for budding and seasoned artists to share their skills at the open mics and talent shows while also hosting many food and art stalls that reflected the boroughs voices and culture back to those who attended. My family would always mark them in the calendar and hop on the bus to them, they were a good way to get involved in the community, see what each area was highlighting! ✨

I made memories, friends, built confidence, learnt to collaborate and to embrace opportunities with a "go for it" attitude (even if I still carry some imposter syndrome with me on the occasion).

Since then...

I graduated with a BA in Dance Practices in 2020 and quickly dove into self-employment as a documentary photography, writer, dancer, facilitator and digital communications manager.

Looking back, I can see how I ended up on this path. I often encountered such encouraging tutors, teachers, facilitators, and artists who were doing work that felt exciting, meaningful, and driven by passion — and I knew I wanted to do the same!

It was so valuable to be shown and engaged with by different people, voices and art forms . The possibilities felt endless, there is no glass ceiling just open air breathing clear with massive belly smiles!

In 2025, I am driven by a want to create pressure-free creation spaces that make people feel good - that's what I had as a young person and I'd love to be able to give that to others. I was always encouraged to do what I love and I hold it really dearly.

Thank you to all those who have believed in me and continue to do so and to the very early budding arts and culture scene in Enfield. Shoutout to: Mr. K, Miss Wynter, Mr Bradbury, Emma, the numerous facilitators, Enfield council for caring about the arts and community and of course... My Mum for supporting me and always find fun events to go to!

Till next time,

Cheniece