Open Arts – Positive Mental Health Through Creativity
Open Arts is a community arts programme for Essex residents aged 16+ who have had experience of mental health problems and also for carers; and would like to engage into the community by making artwork within a group setting. The project runs 12 week courses offering an opportunity to learn new art skills and techniques within a safe and suppo
rtive environment. No art experience is necessary, but if participants have experience in art the artists offer support to develop skill and interest, and people can work at their own pace. Groups are run in community based venues, and people can be referred by a mental health professional, or they can self refer. Open Arts aims to offer people opportunity to move forward as part of society, challenging the stigma of mental health, with people from all different backgrounds working together with a common interest in art. Open Arts aims to offer opportunities to participants over and above the structured courses, including gallery visits and the chance to exhibit artwork, to encourage participation in the widest sense. On completion of their 12 week arts course, participants are offered a day a week at the new Open Arts Studio at Hadleigh Old Fire Station House, to enable them further time and space to develop their artwork and studio practice. The studio promotes independent art making, networking and longer term support, with 6 month placements being offered to studio members. Participants are also signposted on to other opportunities such as further learning and volunteer opportunities. Visual arts course example: Courses vary depending on the artist tutors and group interest. We also welcome those with interests in other art forms including creative writing and drama. Week 1 - Mark Making - Using graphite, charcoal, pencils and various surfaces
week 2 - Observational drawing techniques
Week 3 - Soft pastel and Oil pastel techniques
Week 4 - Watercolour and Aquarelles
Week 5 - Mixed media - including Pen and Ink and Acrylics
Week 6 – Printmaking
Week 7 – Gallery visit
Week 8 - Silk painting and Batik techniques
Week 9 – 10 3D Art including plaster and mod roc
Week 11-12 - Composition time and finishing off
‘I felt I was treated as an artist, not a person with mental health problems’
‘This is the best therapy I’ve had in 10 years’
‘Open Arts has changed the way I feel about my life, and I got so much out of it that I became a volunteer with the project’.
‘This is the first time I’ve ever exhibited my work and it’s brilliant to see it up there!’
For further information about Open Arts, please contact:
Jo Keay
Open Arts Manager
07580 982 462
jo.keay@nhs.net
Open Arts is NOT FUNDED by the NHS but operates completely on external funding, donations and fundraising by participants, volunteers and local businesses. If you can help support Open Arts or would like information on how you can, please contact us. Please make cheques payable to ‘EPUT Charity Fund’
You can donate online via CAF www.cafonline.org search for
Essex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Charities or 1053793. Please make sure you type 'For Open Arts' in the message box.
