This New Ground is a participatory arts organisation that provides a platform to elevate the voices & artistic talents of people with learning disabilities in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Our grant was used to run 10 weekly art sessions for adults with learning disabilities at the Creighton Centre in Hammersmith. These sessions were attended by 20+ participants.
Participants explored various creative techniques, including lino printing, which was particularly popular. They designed and lino printed cards, which were sent to local elderly residents in Hammersmith and Fulham. One participant shared: "I don't know what I'd do without This New Ground's art sessions each week. They give me a reason to leave the house."
One participant Kelly, developed an interest over the sessions in drawing still life flowers using mixed media. They entered a piece of Kelly's work “Still life with Tulips” in to the Public Access Exhibition at Level Centre in Derbyshire. Kelly was delighted when it was chosen and made the 3 hour journey from London with her family to see her work.
The sessions built confidence by giving participants the opportunity to showcase their work in mainstream art spaces, such as The Bush Theatre and Level Centre Exhibition. This exposure helped them feel more integrated into the wider community and gave them a sense of achievement.
Overall, the sessions greatly improved the well-being, skills, and social connections of participants, making a lasting impact on their lives. Watch for yourself on this YouTube clip.