Picture of Me Sets Out a Bold New Creative Approach

We were delighted to share artwork created by participants of our recent project, Picture of Me at an exhibition for friends, family and stakeholders including the Mayor, Councillor Mike Mitchelson and the Mayoress, Mrs Anne Mitchelson.

“Picture of Me is an ACE (Arts Council of England) funded project that enabled us to pilot a new way of working which puts the voices of learning disabled and or autistic people at the centre of creative approach, enabling participants to discover and share their own story. We have been working in partnership with DR Tracy Hayes from University of Cumbria to develop a story crafting approach that was the starting point for this project and all our future activity.”  Jane Dudman Project Manager

The Project has allowed us to work with new artists, in new ways and expand the opportunities that they can offer for people with Learning Disabilities and Autism. Working with specialist artists, participants learnt how to uncover their own story in a series of hands-on workshops over 8 weeks in Carlisle and Maryport. Participants chose to explore their story through either dance & film, street art or storytelling.

Street artists Martin Evans and Ben Heslop (from Blank Wall Assassins) worked with participants to tell their story in the form of large paintings on wooden boards donated by Carlisle Remakery, that depicted objects and themes that represented them.

Dance artist Susie Tate and filmmaker Nick Greenall worked with participants to create a film that recreated special moments from their lives portrayed through dance and movement.

Theatre Director Stefan Escreet and Artist Jane Dudman worked with participants from Lakes College West Cumbria on an audio adventure. Participants shared their stories in a live event in Maryport where the audience were taken on a walk from Senhouse Roman Museum to the promenade. This performance was recreated through film and audio (through headphones) for this event.

The event was also the launch for Prism Arts’ new community fundraising strategy. Prism Arts is supported by many funding bodies such as Arts Council, Esmee Fairbairn and National Lottery Community Fund, but they are diversifying their income to secure a strong future for the charity.

“Our community fundraising pack will enable many more people to work with us and to fundraise on our behalf, by holding an event or taking on a challenge and we will fully support the process. It is only due to the continued support of our community that we can continue to provide life-changing creative opportunities to people with learning disabilities in Cumbria.” Catherine Coulthard, Creative Strategic Director

To find out more visit our support us page – http://prismarts.org.uk/support-us/fundraising/