Art’s the way to up-cycle‘rubbish’
Mental health festival workshop is a picture of success
These colourful pieces of art were all created from old magazines, toys, textiles and even wallpaper.
The art session was part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival and took place at Life Skills RAMH at Houstoun Square, Johnstone.
Artist Julie Boswell led the free event, which invited people to come along and use recycled and upcycled materials to create a piece of art based on the festival theme, Reclaim.
And the participants went to town using canvas flowers, bath ducks and perhaps the most striking of all, a toy giraffe head.
Reuben Millward, education and information officer for RAMH, said it was a fun afternoon.
He said: “The people who took part all saw the advert in the festival booklet and there was a great spirit among everyone.
“Julie brought along a lot of stuff that could be seen as junk but everyone was able to use what they wanted and put it in a frame.
“We had a mini exhibition at the end and that was fun to show off our work to each other.”
Life Skills is a social enterprise operated by RAMH that recycles and upcycles donated furniture, vintage, collectables and textiles.
All profits made from the sale of goods go straight back into mental health services for local people.
Reuben added: “The festival theme is Reclaim and we could really go to town with it.
“It’s quite appropriate that the session took place in Life Skills since the store is all about upcycling, recycling and reclaiming things which other people might think are of no use.
“We get donations of furniture, CDs, DVDs and recycle them for people to buy.”
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival started on Tuesday and runs till the end of the month, with lots of events taking place throughout Renfrewshire.
Check the website www. mhfestival.com for more details or pick up a booklet from Paisley Town Hall or your local library.