Our Work
Creating Awareness Through the Arts
From the outset, our work has been dedicated to bringing the story of the Saharawi freedom cause to wider audiences through the arts and culture. Since 2005, Sandblast has created diverse platforms- live music and poetry events, art and photography exhibitions, film screenings, multimedia festivals, talks and conferences-to showcase Saharawi artists and promote their voices and visions. This in turn has led to many exciting collaborations with other artists who have been inspired to express their solidarity.
Our approach largely aligns with how the Saharawis historically have deployed the arts to peacefully express their resistance.. The founding of Sandblast to organise the Festival of Arts and Culture from Western Sahara, in 2007, was our first major act of cultural resistance in solidarity with the Saharawis.
Momo Hafsi & Telo Morgado with Tiris tidinit player Mohamed Salek at Sandblast Festival 2007
Opening Night: Henry Bonsu with Sandblast founder
Our Founding Project:
The 2007 Sandblast Festival
The Sandblast Festival was the spark that lead to the long and still-burning flame of Sandblast Arts.
Our founder, Danielle Smith, spearheaded this event’s organization and success in November of 2007. Her dedication, hard work, and the support of her network of peers culminated in a three day celebration of Art and Resistance at the Rich Mix Cultural Center in London.
The festival was studded with trailblazers and international artists, such as filmmaker Ken Loach, Algerian Olympic Medalist Hassiba Boulmerka, and more. We hosted an audience of 2,500 spectators- all coming together to stand in solidarity and celebration with Saharawis.
This event marked the beginning of our lush history and ever-evolving story working with a fusion of arts, advocacy, and education.
Desert Voicebox students with workshop volunteer Joanna
The Evolution of Our Work
Over the years, our mission has evolved and we have found new ways of shedding light on the Saharawi struggle. From 2009, we began taking people to experience the Saharawi story first hand, by recruiting participants to join the Sahara Marathon solidarity race which takes place in the refugee camps every February. This initiative not only proved effective to create awareness and build international solidarity but it has also provided a vital way to raise funds for our camp-based projects.
In 2011, we embarked on a new venture tied to our roots in music. In response to local demands to assist with building professional music-making skills; we implemented Studio-Live to train young adults and musicians. This marked just one of our many endeavors into supporting art as resistance, we encourage you to explore more of our past projects and the evolution of our work.
Desert Voicebox
Now through our flagship after school programme, Desert Voicebox, which we first piloted in 2016, we have been focusing on empowering the next generation of Saharawis to become cultural ambassadors, equipping them with new language and creative skills to tell their story and advocate for their future.
Today, it remains the only educational initiative providing primary school-aged children with fun, engaging extracurricular learning in English and music, subjects that are not taught in the local primary school curriculum.
Desert Voicebox is an embodiment of our values in action. Education is the most vital tool for empowering the next generation of Saharawis to become strong advocates and leaders for their community and cause.
