“You don’t have to be an artist to have a go. You can just have a laugh. It’s not a competition.” Lucie Wood
Since early April, members of Stoke Recovery Service and Starfish Social Hub have been coming together online for a relaxed drawing workshop facilitated by BCB Associate Artist Sarah Fraser.
The group explore journeys and routines through drawing and creative process.
It’s a chance to have fun, meet new people and do something different.
“I was completely engrossed. I look forward to every week.” – Adam Jones
Stoke Recovery Service and Starfish Social Hubs reacted quickly to the coronavirus outbreak and have continued to work with their members by phone and online throughout this difficult period.
“Offering online groups has been a valuable source of connection during a time where isolation has been promoted as a way to save lives and stay safe. This is the opposite of what we usually ask clients to do. Getting connected is vital for our clients to improve their mental wellbeing, so the online groups have enabled this to happen for a few hours a day.” – Vicky Lomas
Rather than creating a finished art work, Sarah Fraser took a sketchbook approach to the workshops. Using a range of materials, including pencil, rice, mud and biro, introduces an element of play, as well as increasing the tactile nature of the activity.
“The drawings can be seen as records of the time spent together in each of our own spaces, looking and doing.” – Sarah Fraser
The British Ceramics Biennial Health Programme works in partnership health and community organisations in Stoke-on-Trent to create opportunities for people to explore and imagine how clay and creativity can make a difference to their lives, communities and city. BCB has worked in partnership with Stoke Recovery Service since 2018 on the ReCast project and with Starfish Social Hub since 2019 as part of the Clay Works project.
Keep up to date with the projects by following us on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
- Find out more about the move to online working in this blog for the Baring Foundation.
- We are keen to work with researchers and partners to evaluate the impact of our work. Contact BCB Health Programme Manager, Kat Evans if this is of interest.
