Art workshops
Sarah has experience of running workshops both on a private basis, in schools and within the health care services. These vary from ‘expressive art’,’ ‘colour’ and ‘paint to music’ workshops.
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“Colour is a power which directly influences the soul."
"Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the hammer, the soul is the strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.”
Wassily Kandinsky
Force Cancer Support Centre | Expressive art workshops
2007 saw the first expressive art group come together at the FORCE Centre, and prove to be very successful.
For some time in the Centre there seemed to me to be a need for a chance for Centre users to express themselves, alongside the ‘talk or touch’ therapies like counselling or complementary therapies that were already in existence. To this end, the Centre was able to secure a research grant from the Foundation of Nursing Studies’ Developing Practice Small Projects Programme which enabled the purchase of materials and secured the services of Sarah Gillard to help facilitate the group.
The group offered the opportunity to be creative, and to have the chance to ponder, doodle, sketch and create their own art in a quiet informal and relaxing environment.
In eight fortnightly sessions, the group explored themes such as textures, colour and tone, collage, moods and atmospheres using a wide variety of materials such as pastels, oils, acrylics, chalks and sometimes lots of glitter. One of the joys of the group was that, as one member said, ‘there were no expectations that we were artistic, but it is a space to try art mediums.’
The process of expression often proved to be as important as the finished product, although with Sarah’s gentle guidance the group members often felt proud of their achievements.
The group produced a rich, varied and colourful body of work and also, as an unexpected extra, enjoyed a visit to the Tate St. Ives and Barbara Hepworth studio.
Some of the comments of the participants reflect the feeling of value that they derived from the group:-
‘This group has had a really powerful effect on me- shame I had to have cancer to discover the joys and delights of art.’
Brian Precious
‘In relation to my cancer, participating in expressive art is not going to cure me, but it’s fun, it’s given me a dimension and quality to my life. My brain has been immersed in colour, shape and texture and a lively and witty banter with new colleagues. What a wonderful escape from treatments, appointments, chemo sessions and all the other constraints imposed necessarily on cancer patients. It’s also good to know we’re not alone on our isolating and isolated journeys but good too not to have ‘cancer’ as the focus of our meetings.’
Catherine Mounter
‘The group provides a soothing, relaxing, creative focus where all those things are in short supply for cancer patients and as you can see it has provided a new avenue for exploration, an exciting challenge, new friends and time just to be myself again.’
Pam Browne
Forthcoming FORCE Expressive art workshops >
Further details of the art group can be obtained from Robert on 01392 406151
Paint to Music workshops
This workshop incorporates a variety of art materials to be used in response to music in order to produce paintings. Painting to music proves that you don't have to be an artist in order to create a painting. This is an opportunity for people to express themselves through making marks in a spontanous way in response to their own personal reaction to the sound.
Who can participate?
This workshop is designed for children (from 6 years), teenagers and adults (all ages).
What are the benefits?
To experience the process of producing art in a stimulating format that is totally unique to the individual. It’s non competitive with no previous artistic experience required.
This workshop has proved to be a great success amongst various groups, testimonials from participants:
'The Music and Paint workshop was a joy. As a "non-painter" I felt thoroughly freed up to do my own thing and was so pleased with the results. It was lovely to do such work in the company of others.'
'Just to say a big thank you helping me with very fisrt art class at force ,i also found your workshop exhilarating & very enjoyable ,& really letting my brush show my feelings at your "Through music & paint." Look forward to your next workshop.'
'Re the 'Express yourself through Music & Paint' course that I attended, it gave me space to develop ideas through art &music in a supportive environment, allowing room for individuality and creativity with very focussed and appropriate support. I really enjoyed it, and the range of music used really helped change the moods of my work.'
Forthcoming Paint to Music art workshops >
“Colour is the eye’s music.”
Federico Garcia Lorca (poet)
Colour workshops
Sarah encourages individuals to gain confidence in using colour by using a variety of inspiration and techniques to assist them in developing their skills as an artist.
Preferred medium is gouache
Forthcoming Colour art workshops >
Workshops in schools
Photos from a 'Painting to Music Workhop' for Year 9 at Patchway Community College, Bristol, July 2011.
Sarah was selected out of a number of artists to lead workshops for a large scale project called Fusion Festival Patchway in association with the Conniston Community watercolour group in May 2011.The artwork that was produced will go on to be permanently displayed within the new community centres. This project was funded by the Arts Council.
Forthcoming workshops in schools >
