At the beginning of this year we awarded funding to GW Arts CIC, based in Penryn, Cornwall. Grays Wharf Arts is a not-for-profit arts organisation with a programme of creative community engagement and exhibitions. They connect people to inspire creative practice, providing positive experiences for all through creativity.
Since establishing in 2019, they have developed a number of creative engagement projects including collaborations with the Sensory Trust and Penryn Memory Café, to engage 30 people living with dementia, their families and carers, with six artists over a four month period.
They reported to us that they have used the grant to buy materials and equipment for their two creative social groups. The grant has provided them with scissors, wire cutters, safety glasses, pliers, calligraphy pens and tapestry needles. They also purchased materials such as acrylic paint, paper, wire and easy-cut lino.
The groups meet every Tuesday morning and afternoon and support up to twenty five people with creative activities to address loneliness, mental health issues and general wellbeing.
The group members were really excited to use the new equipment and materials. It enabled them to try out new techniques. For example, they used the wire, pliers and safety glasses to make 3D ‘drawings’, something they hadn’t done before.
One participant quote said “We’re so lucky to have all these materials to play with.” “When I come here, I’m trying things I’ve never done before.”
The groups have asked to do some more painting. Our grant has enabled them to buy more acrylic paint and paper so that they can do that. Some members have also asked to have a go at lino printing and our grant has enabled them to buy some easy-cut lino. The grant has been essential for them to be able to keep the groups running.
Art materials have become more and more expensive and with the groups growing in numbers, the costs for running them are going up. Our grant has enabled them to offer new activities and techniques.