An exciting relay of performances is set to take over the streets of New Cross in a bid to break down barriers between Goldsmiths and the community.

People are being invited to step up to the mic, dance their hearts out or entertain crowds with spoken word pieces between September 21 and October 6.

It’s all part of New-X-Ing – an initiative set up by public art creators, Artmongers, and paid for by the Big Lottery Fund.

Patricio Forrester, former Goldsmiths College student and founder of Artmongers, told Vibe: “We developed the project to integrate Goldsmiths with the New Cross community.

“Last year they were voted by students as the worst located college in London – there is some resentment from the community because Goldsmiths bought all of the big buildings in the area.

“For us, that was the original motivation for this.

“We really like the area.

“We belong to the generation of people who came to study and stayed in the area, became part of it.”

Patricio, originally from Argentina, is responsible for a number of large-scale public art pieces around Lewisham.

He added: “There’s going to be music, poetry, there are days arranged for different things.

“It’s mixed - there will be larger than life people from the area.

“And it’s not just about the performances, but about visibility.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the diversity and residents of New Cross getting up and doing their own thing.”

As well as performers from Goldsmiths, the New-X-Ing stage next to the college’s library will host street dancers from Trinity Laban and even political debates.

Patricio, 44, continued: “There are 49 languages spoken in New Cross – it’s an amazing place.

“This is about highlighting the good aspects of it.

“We can all put some creative energy on the streets.

“We hope imagination and creativity will break down barriers between people.”

In his years of making Lewisham a more colourful place to live, Patricio has discovered public art has a very positive effect on people.

“Through the years I’ve learnt making art in the street has a really positive impact.” He added.

“People say it makes life more interesting and happier.

“You can really improve people’s perception of their own lives by creating art.

“There’s a need for this because all we have at the minute is a community which resents Goldsmiths.

“I’ve been on both sides.

“I hope this will inspire people.”

Patricio also hopes to create three diagonal pedestrian crossings in the area, which gives priority to people on foot rather than motorists.

News Shopper: crossing

If successful in getting permission for them, the crossings will be a functional piece of artwork in the area.

There is still time to register and perform on the New-X-Ing stage.

For more information contact Patricio at artmongers.studio@gmail.com or visit artmongers.com