Help build art studio in walled garden
An appeal has been made for public support to create a new art studio at the Walled Garden in Perth.
PKAVS has set a £10,000 target for a JustGiving appeal which will help create a facility that can be used for performance, arts and crafts, creative writing, and music.
The current art studio at the Walled Garden has seen better days and is wet, cold and dangerous.
In its place, PKAVS Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub plans to build an eco-friendly unit that has heating to help support clients in the local area.
Kirsty McKay from the Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub outlined the project: “The current space in extremely cold, damp and we are faced with significant flooring and roofing issues.
“Water damage is causing issues with lights and damaging the clients art work placed on the walls.
”The art studio has electric heating, but this means it costs a huge amount to heat and really isn’t adequate for keeping everyone warm and comfortable.
“We have no access ramp and the entrance steps are rotting, so there are real health and safety issues here too. The place just doesn’t reflect our wellbeing ethos.”
There have been comments from Walled Garden clients that make the point.
One user said it was “absolutely freezing in winter,” while another said the steps were a slipping hazard.
Another reported having to wear extra clothing when using the studio.
Kirsty told the PA the space had been well used and, looking beyond COVID, there was clearly a need for a place to meet for a range of activities.
“Under normal circumstances we run eight creative wellbeing workshops, two per day, Monday – Thursday in performance, arts and crafts, creative writing and music,” she said.
“On Fridays, our studio has been available for other organisations and groups to use, but due to the less than welcoming condition it is in now, we had to stop this.
“Bringing others in to enjoy our facilities is something we are looking to restart once we get our new space - we want to embrace a partnership approach once again.
“One of our volunteers made the point that there is so much potential if we have the right structure in place, telling us our creative arts programme is ‘an amazing learning experience for everyone’, but they tell us the portable cabin is lacking in amenities, especially in the colder months when the heating makes working an issue.
“We know our volunteers think, with a quality working environment, the programme could really thrive.
“We have already secured a sum of funding for the studio through successful grant applications.
“We secured £18,786 from Perth and Kinross Council’s Common Good Fund, £10,000 from The National Lottery’s Awards for All and £37,572 from The Gannochy Trust.
“This £10,000 fundraising push will get us to the final figure we need for an ecofriendly, modular style structure with heating installation.
“We know asking the public to contribute £10,000 is a lot, but we are off to a good start with £1400 raised in the last week or so.”
Public donations are being taken through the page https://www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/pkavs-walled-garden-artstudio