Hi folks
Here we are, in a brand new year - may 2014 be one of refreshing, renewing and revitalising for you all. I really must update the photos of our latest sessions: we did some more glass painting with Emma Owen and some rather magical looking Chinese lanterns with Stephanie Glenn Morris in time for the start of the Chinese new year - year of the Horse now, for those with an enquiring mind. This week, we look forward to what Oliver Lovley has to bring to the table - also please look out for his upcoming exhibitions in and around Nottinghamshire.
I've had a number of email enquiries about the group, which is always marvellous, but it raised some questions that I thought I would revisit here. So here are a few pertinent facts about NB and what we hope to achieve through our work...
As far as the group is concerned, we meet during term-time, but new
folks can join at any point during that period. If you are able to come along this coming Wednesday, 12th February, Oliver's in the house, one of our fabulous tutors, who have reduced their rate so that we can afford their fees. Such a kind and lovely thing to do!
We are a community group that runs on the minimum charge we require from members, and also with the aid of charitable trusts and other grant bodies. The group costs £20 per half term, as this means that
we can provide a warm, disabled-friendly environment, tuition, supplies
and materials. We have some easels, both for sitting and one for
standing as well as a "perching" stool, if that would suit. There are
plenty of art resources
and equipment for you to use, although we eventually encourage those
who would like to develop their own work to purchase their own
materials.
We have three tutors per
half term: Stephanie Morris provides us with expert tuition in Chinese
brush strokes. Having experienced her own serious health issues she has
a great deal of patience and compassion with members of the group and
is a real asset and joy to be around; Oliver Lovley is an artist who has
a really experimental approach to painting, making his own colours and
"paints" from tea, coffee, beetroot and grass for example. We have also
studied sketching and still life made of fruit, an old camping lamp with a tennis shoe and a video case! He's a real gem and brings
with him a gentle but fun approach to art; Emma Owen, also an artist,
has had us using glass paints, which she then kindly fires for us - we
thoroughly enjoyed that! She also posed for us so that we could work on the human form with charcoal and chalk - we didn't use them on her, you understand, we did use sketching paper - which was really
helpful, and will be
working on sketching next time after half term. The rest of the
sessions are spent working on personal projects - it could be one that
you're inspired by in our supply of resources, or one you've already
started at home. There are also other members in the group who've been
to art college,and others who are also accomplished artists, so we do have a wealth of expertise available if you get
stuck or would like some advice.
Refreshments are provided, although we take it in turns
to bring biscuits. However, the folks from the church we meet in are
super friendly (as you'd hope!) and often there are goodies left from
the luncheon club available too! It's an eclectic group, mostly women,
although we do have some chaps. We are really fortunate to have a
healthy number of volunteers most weeks too, so they tend to do the
heavy lifting, fetching and carrying, provision of refreshments, which
is marvellous. However, if you have severe needs, we do prefer you to
bring your own carer/support worker. Being volunteers, there are
occasions when they may not be able to come, plus we're not insured for that kind of
level of support. Some of our members rely soley on electric
wheelchairs, or crutches and canes, others have less obvious disability
or chronic illness - we are a very mixed bag :)
I hope that answers most of your questions, but if
you do have any more then please do ask me to expand on anything - I'd
be most happy to do that. It's a wonderful group and new members may
take a couple of sessions to feel totally comfortable, but we make
everyone welcome - and most importantly, love art and sharing and frankly in some cases, just getting out!
So, if this appeals, it would be lovely to see you . We have no expectations of great
skill or ability, but would be delighted if you this is your heart's
desire :) We're
here to provide an opportunity for you to have a go and play with art,
learn with us, laugh, smile and relax in excellent company in a lovely
environment.
Kindest regards
Alli Bennett
Group Co-ordinator
