Lotto delight for art group to continue

A community group supporting people’s mental health through art is celebrating a funding boost to continue its work.

Regeneration N.E. can continue its weekly art classes for another year thanks to its successful application to the National Lottery Community Fund.

The project, called The People’s Art Space, will provide materials and new skills for anybody living in Tyne and Wear or County Durham.

It comes as Regeneration N.E. and art group members prepare for an art exhibition at Sunderland Minster from February 7 to 21.

In 2009, Gary Nicholson, co-founder and director of Regeneration N.E., had an operation to remove a tumour from his spinal cord, which led him to being paraplegic and a full time wheelchair user.

As a result, Gary began attending The Art Studio, a mental health charity, and rediscovered his love of art, going on to receive a degree in Design and Illustration at the University of Sunderland, returning to the Art Studio as a tutor until its closure in 2019.

After teaming up with Will Johnson and Regeneration N.E. directors Kathryn and Andy Barnett, they were able to secure Sunderland Minster as a venue for art classes.

Gary, from Sunderland, said: “Lots of research has been done to show that art is good for you. The members of the art group are a lovely bunch to work with. The classes at Sunderland Minster take place in beautiful surroundings.”

The art meetings take place 11am to 2pm every Wednesday at the Minster.