Stroke group’s watercolours given pride of place at fire station

A selection of watercolour paintings created by members of the Forfar Stroke Group went on display yesterday.

The artwork, on show in Forfar Fire Station’s training room, was produced as part of the ST/ART arts project, for stroke and brain injury participants across Tayside.

This project is run by Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (That) with NHS Tayside.

The watercolour programme is one of a range for people with long term conditions.

During the eight sessions, participants experimented with different techniques using salt, cling film, rollers and combining elements using collage.

Lead artist Shona Barr and volunteer artist Tarka Heath worked with the group and encouraged each member to produce a range of pieces exploring the watercolour techniques, before applying them to their individual finale pieces.

Shona said, “Working with watercolours is such an expressive process that everyone can enjoy, regardless of the outcomes of their stroke.

“The group has been engrossed from the very start and has produced some wonderful work.”

Chris Kelly, That projects coordinator, added: “The group has responded very well to Shona’s programme and we have seen the enthusiasm grow every week.”

He said it was the first time the group has painted with watercolours.

That was set up in 2002 and promotes creativity using different art forms.

Gareth Jennings. Picture: The Forfar Stroke Group with its watercolour paintings, which are going on display at the town’s fire station.