Trio are first Scottish artists to get SANE grant
Three Stirling artists taking part in a social prescription project led by Artlink Central have each received £150 from mental health charity SANE to continue their creative practice.
Christina Horrill, Taylor Mcarthur and Ann Renfrew discovered the positive benefits of art on their own mental health and wellbeing by working with Artlink during lockdown.
The trio are the first Scottish artists to have won funding from SANE’S Creative Awards Scheme.
The artists celebrated their win by spreading festive cheer to residents and staff at Stirling Health and Care Village by decorating the windows of the Bellfield Centre with seasonal stencils and drawings.
The artists applied to SANE for funding to help pay for new art materials, allowing them to keep up their art at home.
Taylor Mcarthur said:“currently I only have colouring pencils, pens and paper at home. This funding will help me to source different art materials and open up more creative opportunities; allowing me to explore different modes of self-expression. I enjoy creating art especially when there is no set pressure on how it should turn out.
“Through attending Artlink’s Artspace sessions, I was introduced to different techniques and material, such as printmaking, model making and painting. I also had opportunities to take part in group exhibitions. Showing my artwork has boosted my selfesteem and confidence.
“Art helps me to de-stress and let out my emotions. I particularly enjoy making 3D objects and drawings.”
Christina Horrill added:“i have limited art material and the funding will greatly help my creativity and mental health. When I do art, I feel relaxed, more confident and much happier. It really lifts my mood.”
Ann Renfrew also expressed the benefits of art to mental health. She said:“participating in creative activities helps me be myself. With this award, I will be able to buy different art material and develop my own creative style.”
Artlink Central’s social prescribing service, Artspace, is now in its 17th year. Since 2003, the project has offered people who have experienced mental health issues an opportunity to build their creative skills, express themselves and improve their wellbeing with support from professional artists.
Kevin Harrison, Director of Artlink Central, said:“it’s been a challenging year to deliver the Artspace project, but we’ve managed to adapt our practice to keep it going – using socially distanced art walks and postcard exchanges, as well as Zoom and Instagram, to keep us connected during the pandemic.
“To celebrate the funding win and bring some Christmas cheer to staff and patients, Christina, Taylor and Ann worked with professional artists Alan Bryden and Aya Iguchi to create these festive artworks on the windows at the Bellfield, ranging from snowflakes and robins to a masked polar bear.”