Art in the Park 2025 – Rowntree Park

 

Blooming Journeys: Bringing the Park to Life

Sofonie Dala discovered Rowntree Park by chance, on a day that was already steeped in meaning. She was on her way to celebrate African Day alongside the Lord Mayor of York, Councillor Martin, carrying with her the stories, colors, and rhythms of Angola. But what she didn’t expect was to stumble upon a hidden jewel tucked within the city's heart—a garden of quiet wonder, where nature and memory intertwined like vines on a trellis.

The park greeted her like an open sketchbook. As she wandered through its winding paths, framed by the soft shadows of old trees and the vibrant hues of climbing roses, she was instantly drawn to its serenity. The pergola, laced with blooming petals, stood like a gentle cathedral of nature. Purple irises nodded in the breeze, and butterflies traced delicate paths in the warm afternoon light. Every corner seemed to whisper a new story, every leaf hummed a different note.

For Sofonie, a visitor from a land of rich landscapes and sun-drenched savannahs, Rowntree Park became more than a peaceful place—it became a canvas. She began capturing these moments with her camera, framing not just the scenery, but the emotion of discovery. Her photographs were raw and alive, filled with laughter, quiet reflection, and awe. But they were only the beginning.

Back in her studio, those fleeting moments bloomed again—this time as art. With digital pencil and watercolor, she reimagined the park in tender strokes and translucent washes. She didn’t just paint flowers—she painted movement. She didn’t just depict benches and bridges—she infused them with presence and memory. The pergola took on a dreamlike quality, the gardens swirled with color, and the sky stretched wide above it all like a silent witness to transformation.

Then came the final breath of life—animation. Sofonie brought her painted world into motion. Flowers swayed gently, as if dancing to the rhythm of remembered footsteps. Butterflies fluttered with joy, and clouds drifted lazily across an endless watercolor sky. Through this, the park didn’t just live on paper; it truly came to life.

Her work became more than an artistic tribute—it was a celebration of shared space and silent conversations between cultures, between the human spirit and the natural world. It reflected how parks, no matter where they are, hold a universal language of peace, healing, and imagination.

Displayed in Rowntree Park itself, her animated paintings invited others to see what she saw—to witness the park not just as a place, but as an evolving story. Visitors found themselves looking again at the flowers they’d passed a hundred times, now noticing the way the light kissed their petals, or how laughter echoed beneath the trees.

Through Sofonie’s eyes, Rowntree Park became something new—a living mosaic of joy, memory, and creativity. A journey that began with African Day and led to an everlasting bloom of inspiration.

Conclusion

Through this journey, Sofonie Dala not only brought Rowntree Park to life through art but also illuminated the deeper values it represents—sustainability, inclusion, and cultural connection. Her work speaks directly to the heart of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By transforming a public green space into a platform for creative expression and cross-cultural storytelling, she advances SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)—promoting access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green spaces.

Her emphasis on environmental beauty and botanical life aligns with SDG 15 (Life on Land), highlighting the importance of preserving biodiversity and celebrating natural heritage. Through her lens as an international visitor and female artist, Sofonie’s project also uplifts SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)—demonstrating the power of global collaboration and female-led innovation.

Ultimately, Blooming Journeys is more than art; it is a call to reimagine our parks, our communities, and our shared future—one brushstroke, one story, one flower at a time.