Mark Tami MP, Karen Ball (WEA Cymru tutor), Viv Edwards (Clwyd Alyn Life Skills Co-ordinator)
An innovative art project helping people of all ages make friends, gain confidence and discover hidden talents has been praised by leading local politicians who visited an exhibition of work organised by the ‘Can of Worms’ art initiative last week.
Mark Isherwood AM and Mark Tami MP were among the visitors at the ‘Can of Worms’ exhibition at Llys Eleanor Extra Care Scheme in Shotton which featured work by tenants and residents of nine Supported Living Schemes managed by Clwyd Alyn Housing Association across North Wales and both said they were impressed with the creative talent on show.
As well as work from tenants at Llys Eleanor, an Extra Care Scheme for the over 60s the exhibition also featured work from eight Supported Living schemes for former homeless young people and adults also managed by Clwyd Alyn.
Sarah O’Connell Jones, manager for WEA Cymru, explained:
“the Can of Worms project is funded by the Arts Council of Wales and led by WEA Cymru. The project has given us the opportunity to provide 15 courses of accredited art classes in 8 Clwyd Alyn supported housing projects and 1 extra care scheme to create artwork along the themes of Discrimination and Identity. I am very proud to see the end results of this exciting project”
WEA Cymru, art tutor, Karen Ball expanded:
“The majority of the courses were with young people aged 16- 25 in the supported living projects but we were also fortunate to be able to run one course with people aged 60 – 94 in the extra care scheme. A key part of the classes was getting the groups to work together, this helped them to strengthen friendships and develop team working skills. We used a wide range of techniques including, painting, papier mâché, mask making and mosaics.”
Ade Harvey, Clwyd Alyn Life Skills Co-ordinator in Wrexham added:
“I’ve worked with WEA Cymru to organise the project in our supported living accommodation. There has been very positive feedback from all the groups, they have looked forward to the classes and also to finishing off the pieces, I’ve seen real pride in their work. I would like to thank Karen, the groups all have very different needs and she has adapted to meet them all.”
Karen added:
“it was great to see them develop, many had never done any art before and didn’t want to get involved. The group work really helped, they got more comfortable as time went on, then you could see them getting more confident and taking pride in their work. They took it seriously and I’m very proud of what they have achieved”
Jamie Edwards (24) a participant from Wrexham Foyer said:
“I made a mask and also a mosaic. I really enjoyed the course, I think I’ve gained in confidence by working in a team, we can all share in what we’ve done and it’s great to see the end results on display.”
Ella Williams (94) from Llys Eleanor, Shotton said:
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting other people and it’s been a way of keeping busy. Karen has been wonderful, I never thought I could do something like this; I haven’t done any art before this course.”
Mark Isherwood AM commented:
“I’m very impressed with the exhibition, it’s great to see so much thought and personal expression in the artwork produced and the benefits brought to individuals, producing something as a group which matters to them all. It’s important people are given the opportunity, through projects like this, to recognise that they can do things and overcome hate, face their own demons and beat them to go on to a better life.”
Mark Tami MP was also very impressed adding:
“Going forward I would like to see more of this type of project. Often creating a piece of art work will be the first time a person can see that they have achieved something, there are often problems with getting people to complete things and getting involved in art is a way of encouraging this as well as a way of expressing feelings. The young and the old often face the same challenges although they often don’t come together or realise this, it’s good to see the wide range of age groups represented here.
Viv Edwards, Clwyd Alyn Life Skills Co-ordinator based at the Dyfodol Project, supporting young former homeless people in Rhyl added:
“The project has been ideal as it took place at the scheme itself. I am so proud of the work they have done, many didn’t realise they have artistic skills and this opens them up to new possibilities. It’s very important in building up confidence; this type of project is good for them and for society as a whole.”
