Art Workshops, Ruthin Goal
Discover 07 Art Workshops
In October 2006 the Society was successful in its application for a grant of £5000 from Awards for All Wales to fund a series of art workshops about crime, punishment and confinement. We worked in partnership with Ruthin Gaol and Denbighshire County Council and the workshops were held in the Gaol. The participants were asked to explore issues such as social exclusion, bullying and abuse and to express these in a variety of art forms. |
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The workshops were aimed at individuals and groups who had a wide range of experience and skills in art from complete novices to those had great expertise in particular mediums and wished to try something different. It also attracted a wide range of ages from 16 to about 80. People with experience of mental illness from the local Vale of Clwyd Mind groups, youngsters from the Plas Brondyffryn Youth group and individuals from many different walks of life participated. | ||
The workshops were free of charge to the participants and most were well attended. In total there were 176 attendees in 22 workshops which they enjoyed, and many of them discovered talents they were unaware of and developed new interests and skills. Apart from the workshops Talks were given by Martin Davies, a Detective Inspector from the North Wales Police who spoke about crime and punishment and Clwyd Wynne who spoke about the North Wales Hospital and the isolation and confinement experienced by patients, especially prior to the unlocking of the hospital in the early 1960's. |
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Eight local artists from varied backgrounds and experience, from those with Art Degrees to those who have worked for several years in art and those currently working towards attaining qualifications, who used the workshops to fulfil their professional practice requirements for their courses, led the workshops. They worked in several different mediums including textiles, clay, printing, oils, acrylics and watercolour and provided interesting and stimulating sessions. | ||
The workshops took place from January to September and some of the people and work which was produced are shown here. This money has given opportunities to a large number of people in the community and has also provided several local artists with a chance to share and develop their skills. The process of obtaining the grant was fast and easy ? I would definitely recommend the Awards for All Wales grants programme. For further information on Awards for All |  | ||
