Art centre’s year of success
AREDDISH art centre is looking back over its most successful year to date.
Arc runs art courses for people with mental health issues who have been referred to them.
This year has seen Arc undergo a major refurbishment, and expand its range of popular courses to reach even more people.
It recently introduced short paid-for art courses and sessions for absolutely anyone to attend, which have been so popular they will be launching a new programme for next year.
All profits from the sale of artwork and courses are reinvested in Arc’s creative programmes, which benefit the mental health of hundreds of vulnerable adults and young people in Stockport.
We spoke to two Arc artists to find out more about what they do and how the arts positively affect their lives.
Their work is on sale at the Christmas Art Bazaar, which runs until 4pm today (Wednesday) at the centre’s home on Greg Street in Reddish.
The gallery is open to the public from Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm.
Susie Parry is an emerging artist who started off on the Challenge programme, which helps people with mental health issues, and is now a regular volunteer at the centre.
Susie, 57, who lives in Offerton, is prolific in her art and has work for sale in the gallery including painting and crocheted animals, hats and gloves.
As a volunteer, Susie comes into the gallery to help out with everything from helping out in arts sessions, displaying the art pieces, serving in the café and even helping out with the cleaning.
Susie, who previously worked in retail and in cafes, said: “The art really distracts me from worrying and it can really help anyone with anxiety. Art is a total distraction from any worries because you’re totally concentrating.”
Having studied Foundation Art at Manchester Polytechnic and then studying for a fine art and art history degree at Aberystwyth University, Susie has always been involved in the arts.
She said: “Art isn’t really about the finished product, it’s about how it makes you feel and what’s inside.”
A few months ago Susie was asked by Arc to paint five large canvases for the Oasis Café Gallery at Stepping Hill Hospital.
They wanted something calm and uplifting, so her inspiration was butterflies, landscapes, cats and a mermaid in the water. The canvases were created using mixed media techniques, which were sprayed with acrylic inks and then painted on top with acrylic paint.
When asked about her inspiration for her art, Susie said: “My inspiration comes from absolutely everywhere, but I particularly like painting landscapes from Cornwall when I go on holiday. I don’t have a favourite medium, and I really enjoy experimenting with different materials and art forms.”
Susie has a number of paintings and some crochet work for sale as part of the Christmas Art Bazaar.
Rachel Harlow another Arc artist.
Rachel, 38, from Reddish, is is an imaginative felt textiles artist with a small business called Lovely Little Lamp, which she runs in between looking after her two young children.
She is one of the established artists carefully selected to show and sell work at the Arc Christmas Bazaar for the first time.
Her felt Christmas decoration sprouts, mince pies and pigs in blankets all have cheeky faces, and appeal to adults and kids alike.
This year she is also selling some new sproutbased Christmas wreaths, which have proved very popular.
Rachel said: “It’s really fantastic to have my work exhibited at Arc, which is right near where I live. It’s a great resource for people to be able to buy completely unique Christmas gifts from local makers, with the profits being donated to the Arc charity.”
Rachel completed an Art Foundation course at Mid-Cheshire College in Northwich, and went on to study Contemporary Craft at MMU (Alsager campus).
Although she initially decided not to pursue art as a career, she found her way back to art after having her daughter five years ago.
Having suffered from postnatal depression, Rachel was referred onto a programme called the Pearl scheme which offered art courses for two hours a week in Reddish.
Here she started making lampshades and her new business was born. However, after joining supportive Facebook groups for crafters, Rachel was inspired to start making felt Christmas decorations to swap with other makers.
She said: “I made a sprout first, because I hate sprouts to eat but they are quite amusing, and I made a satsuma and a mince pie. They were so popular I branched out into making felt decorations and hanging items, with little faces stitched onto them.”
When it’s not festive season, she also makes rainbows, clouds and anything else that can be made with felt and have a cute face sewn onto it!
Arc’s next programme of creative public workshops and training is now online and can be booked via the website.
Workshops from January include handmade books, origami, flash fiction and a product photography studio for creatives and emerging artists.
Gift vouchers are also available to purchase in the gallery.
For more information see arc-centre.org.