The Collaborative Canvas

Aim: We are a professional artist studio opening it's doors and inviting individuals in to be creative, make visual art and improve wellbeing.

I am a former art teacher, trained specifically for post-16 education; I am also an artist. I make work because I want and need to create images and I get so much out of the process for my wellbeing and sense of self. I have worked in schools and colleges and over time, realised that I have an innate interest in the curative and supportive value of art. I, personally, enjoy supporting people to feel better about themselves and their lives and want them to reach their full potential and self-actualise.

Last year I piloted a project at The Lighthouse Gallery in Eastbourne; 'Coffee & Creativity' was a huge success....we had a gorgeous, creative context, access to hot drinks and a space to make work. The group became very social and gave structure to the working week for many of the attendees, we even incorporated lunch and friendships were formed.

The Collaborative Canvas now has its own studio space and a refined idea about what we are offering; a social hub, with visual art at its core (with an Art Facilitator there to offer creative advice and technical tips when and if required).

We have made an application to the Arts Council to support us to pay our studio rent and buy some equipment; such as a lightbox, a small printing press for relief printing, a drying rack, paints, brushes, pencils, paper, etc., so that equipment and cost of access isn't a prohibitive factor for some. We are looking for funding to ensure the future of the project and widen participation (we're hoping to link with GP surgeries and their social prescribers and eventually take referrals from them for our creative/wellbeing workshops). 

So, in short, funding to purchase materials and to cover our overheads, such as our studio rent, is our intention for this Crowdfunder but longterm to pay two Art Facilitator's (one of which is me) and to cover the access costs for individuals on the social prescribing agenda. 

We need your help to keep our project objectives alive!