Changing Lives - Arts

Arts

Communication through creativity: Over 380 of the people we work with have direct access to our arts and wellbeing resources each year.

Sculpture

A group of disabled artists supported by James Finlayson, our Woodwork and Crafts Tutor, saw some of their work unveiled in Glasgow's Pollok Park. Comprising of a number of wood and resin flowers which have been placed in a tree stump, the project was run in partnership with Glasgow City Council Land Services.

"I enjoyed working on the flower project and I made one flower for the display," said Anne who took part. "I got to go and pick flowers to make a resin centre. I liked seeing all the flowers in the park."

Visual arts

The PARTners project for people in and around Aberdeen saw artist in residence Jemima Chillingworth working with a number of the people we support to develop their artistic and expressive interests through art sessions. One of the artists James had spent most of his adult life in long stay hospital.

"For someone like James, his painting is of great value to him and he will draw outside sessions at home," explained Jemima. "The project has affected all the artists in varying degrees and for James it has opened up a skill to a fuller potential that he probably always had."

(The PARTners project is supported by the Scottish Arts Council, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City Councils)

Music

David McCluskey, our Music Tutor, supported Amir, a young man from Iran, to been explore his cultural identity. Through music sessions with respected Iranian poet and musician Mahmood Amir went on to give public performances as part of the Threads project:

"The music sessions have had an amazing effect on Amir," explained David. "I believe that the whole process of this project has had such a positive impact on his communicative abilities, self confidence, his sense of identity, which I believe has made a real impact on his emotional maturity in relating to others."

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