Haven't we had a lovely warm summer?! Hope it made you feel brighter, and that you've had a chance to rest during the past eight weeks, because we have an amazing year booked for you at New Beginnings Art Group. To start with, Stephanie Glenn Morris and Oliver Lovley are returning for a new year with us. In addition, Emma Owen, who led a session back in January, is able to commit to a whole year with us too! She'll even be doing some glass painting, so keep your eyes peeled for further info about that.
Our tutors are gentle, but there may also be a challenge for you as well. We're all aware, and have experience of, how difficult it can be to join a group on your own, let alone cope with all the problems/issues you have already. So this is a warm, welcoming group set up for people like you. The venue is marvellous too and so easy to navigate, even if you're in a wheelchair/scooter. The Oasis church staff are very accommodating and provide us with refreshments, so that our wonderful volunteers can make sure you're always topped up with a cuppa, water or juice. If you do need constant help though, please do bring someone with you because we have a limited number of volunteers for the group - WE CAN ALWAYS DO WITH MORE VOLUNTEERS THOUGH! :)
If you're returning, then we welcome you back with open arms too. This year we have the timetable all set up and I have the artist/tutors coming up with ideas for each session, which I'll post here when it's all sorted. I think the last term especially of 2012/13 helped us firm-up great working relationships with both Oliver and Stephanie, because we were able to spend three weeks consecutively with each of them. It was an absolute joy to see how far we ourselves can develop our artistic skill with this level of tuition and support. This was only possible because of the good year we had with a higher number of regular members, and donations from Eric Kerry and Chilwell Road Methodist Church - for which we thank you most sincerely.
Do please remember that those of us who run the group are also chronically ill or disabled, and simply volunteers. None of us get paid to run this wonderful group, apart from the tutors, who are generous enough to charge us a minimal fee. So the £20 you pay each half term (preferably at the beginning of the block please), has to cover hall rental, tuition costs, art materials and supplies and the sundry items necessary to run a group like ours. It's vital to the continuation of New Beginnings Art Group.
We really look forward to seeing you on 11th September at 1.30pm at The Oasis Centre, Union Street (next to the Malt Shovel). If you're driving, please be aware that there are some crazy roadworks at the bottom of Union Street, on the main road, so just take your time and turn left after the main Tesco's and then right past an elderly residential complex. If you've reached the Tesco petrol station on the main road, you've gone too far, so simply do a loop. The best way is to go round the one way system, ie, continue down Middle Street; road bends left into Regent Street; at the end, turn right onto Broadgate; at the traffic lights, bear right, down Humber Road (past the fab chip shop); turn right at the bottom onto Queens Road East; continue on this road for a short way until the junction with Station Road; turn right at the lights onto Station Road; at the junction with Middle Street, you're back at the Tescos again! There's a small car park adjoining The Oasis Centre and a small number of disabled parking spaces in the immediate vicinity. If you live in the Chilwell area, it may be possible for you to get a lift with a member of the group, or it may be that you can offer others a lift, or live in a different area and can offer a lift, if that's so, please contact us by email.
See you soon!
Alli and the gang at New Beginnings Art Group
