A Holywell woman has discovered her talent as a painter thanks to a pioneering art project.
Caz Hughes is among patients attending the renal and diabetes unit at Glan Clwyd Hospital, in Bodelwyddan.
According to Caz, the dialysis sessions are now a fulfilling way of relaxing under the guidance of Coleg Harlech WEA art tutor Jan Gardner. Her work is now on show at an exhibition.
The ground-breaking project was launched by Coleg Harlech WEA to offer opportunities to people who would not otherwise find it easy to access courses, and the scheme was set up in conjunction with the active Friends of the Renal Unit.
The project has sparked a great deal of interest from health experts across the UK who would like to copy the idea.
Coleg Harlech WEA Principal Trefor Owen is a strong supporter of the project.
He said: “A project like this is enormously valuable and we are delighted that it is helping people to find the artistic talent within themselves.
“Our aim at Coleg Harlech WEA is to help people achieve their potential in a fulfilling way and the art project is perfect in that respect.
“It comes as no surprise to me that the idea has generated interest and that others are now hoping to replicate our success.”
Caz, now 50, first suffered kidney failure at the age of 18 and one year later underwent a transplant which lasted 24 years.
She is now back on the waiting list for a second transplant but in the meantime has dialysis three times a week, each session lasting over three hours.
She used to spend the time watching TV or reading, but when Jan first arrived she was persuaded to have a go at painting. The fistula – the connection to the dialysis machine – had to be connected to her left arm, and as she was left-handed it meant that she had to learn to paint with her right hand.
“I did art at the Saint Richard Gwyn School in Flint, but after leaving at 16 I didn’t do any until Jan came along.
“I was one of her guinea-pigs. My brother is a fashion designer so I suppose I do have something in the genes,” she said.
Caz is a great admirer of Jan’s own style, which largely features bright, eye-catching abstracts, and has started trying to emulate her, but also enjoys still life subjects.
“Jan never tells us what we have to do but is always on hand to help and give us some pointers, and she encourages us to try different media. I just love being able to express myself,” she said.
She particularly enjoys painting still life subjects, and examples of her work can currently be seen in an exhibition of patients’ paintings at Colwyn Bay library ((until the end of October)). Other pieces have been featured in the annual calendar produced by the Friends of the Renal Unit.
Jan, an award-winning artist from Conwy who has worked with a variety of groups in the past, said she derived great pleasure and satisfaction from her work in the unit.
She was recruited by Betty Mason, Coleg Harlech’s WEA Learning Manager, based in Colwyn Bay, and enthusiasm soon convinced patients, some of whom have been attending the unit three times a week for many years, that they should have a go.
Jan said: “It’s great to see their interest in art being kindled and to try to inspire them.
“I welcome the opportunity to come here because it keeps me grounded, away from my main work as an artist,” she added.
“It has been my privilege to have been given the opportunity in the beginning and the ongoing support and enthusiasm from Coleg Harlech has ensured that the project has developed each year.
“I am passionate about my own artwork which celebrates life, and I hope this joy spills over into other lives
“The unique relationship between the medical renal unit and myself as an artist has been life-affirming,” she added.
In June Jan and the unit’s transplant nurse Dawn Oliver were invited to address the annual conference of the British Renal Society in Birmingham on the therapeutic project.
Talks are currently taking place over establishing links with former patients of the Glan Clwyd unit who could receive support to continue painting at home, and Jan is also involved in trying to replicate the scheme in a Hull hospital.
Vice-chairman of the Friends of the Renal Unit is Don Webster of Rhyl, who has been a dialysis patient for 34 years. He says the weekly art classes are appreciated by the patients who benefit from Jan’s enthusiasm and talent.
The 64-year-old occasionally joins in himself, choosing to sketch instead of paint.
“I find it very relaxing,” he said.
Dr Aled Lewis, consultant nephrologist, commented: “Integrating art into medicine is very important as dialysis treatment means a lot of time in hospital and it’s very important to fill this time with positive things.
“The art and drawing lessons help our patients to fill this time, and not only improve their art skills but also their self-esteem.
“We are very proud of the patients’ skills and also if the help we have received from Jan Gardner and the Friends of the Renal Unit,” he added.
