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Sexual violence survivors are being given the opportunity to throw themselves into a Wales-based pottery workshop to help them bond and work through their trauma thanks to a grant from a local arts fund.
Local charities Jersey Action Against Rape (JAAR) and Youthful Minds, and a local artist who does not wish to be named, have been selected to experience a cultural getaway through the Rivington Fund's latest £23,000 round of grants.
The fund aims to help islanders access artistic and cultural experiences that they may not otherwise get a chance to embrace.
JAAR clients will be taking part in a two-day workshop at Penrhiw Pottery, run by a potter of 25 years and another with 10 years’ experience teaching adults social and emotional skills through art and drama.
“This pottery workshop will provide a unique opportunity for JAAR clients to fully emerge into the creativity that hand-throwing pottery can provide,” a spokesperson for the charity explained.
“The experience would also allow for our clients to add their own personal touches to their work by glazing their products and gaining immense satisfaction from their work. This would also allow for collective bonding with a group of clients that would generally choose to isolate themselves in their day to day lives. It’s our hope this gives them the chance to really connect with others who too have experienced, serious life-changing trauma.”
Youthful Minds – a group of 11 to 25-year-olds focused on reducing mental health stigma – will also be benefiting from funding to take a group of 13 young people on an arts tour of Edinburgh.
Pictured: Youthful Minds said that "using art can support good mental health in many ways, particularly for young people."
“Using art can support good mental health in many ways, particularly for young people, a spokesperson for Youthful Minds said.
“Some of the potential mental health benefits of creativity and art are increased self-confidence, self-esteem, finding a sense of purpose and meaning and a way of coping with difficult and distressing emotions. Really, this trip could help young people reach their potential and empower them to move towards their goals and aspirations for the future.”
Meanwhile, the anonymous local artist will be heading into the Texan desert.
The individual, who has has previously worked with geologists, composers and chefs, will be attending the Chinati Foundation, founded by Donald Judd, in Marfa.
“I'm interested in how the art and the surrounding land are inextricably linked," she said of the trip ahead.
Pictured: Marfa hub of contemporary art, Texas, where a local artist will visit with The Rivington Fund funding.
"I’ll be recording my experiences of art, architecture and landscape through writing, photography and drawing to take back to my studio to reflect and in turn inform a variety of artworks to share through exhibitions and in the curation of innovative community projects/workshops.
"It will be incredibly valuable to experience influential artworks that have shaped the course of art history. This trip will give me a greater understanding of the historical context and contemporary understanding of sculpture, land art and architecture. Ultimately I hope the experience will strengthen and deepen my practice.”
The anonymous artist will not only explore records from The Judd Foundation, but she will also be attending the Chinati Art Weekend, a cultural event of exhibitions, artist talks and performances.
Relaunched fund aims to open world of art to locals
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