Visual Arts Projects 2004
Creative Minds
In 2004 we worked with MIND in the Vale of Glamorgan on an exciting new mixed artform project in Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major, mixing photography, animation, video, and dance and creating new art work which was launched to mark World Mental Health day in October 2004.
Positive and Proud
In 2004 our Positive and Proud exhibition, which was made by adults from Bridgend People First working with facilitators Sarah and Katrina and our Photography Worker Alison McGann, received great acclaim. One of the images from the exhibition graced the front cover of Disability Now magazine (www.disabilitynow.org.uk), and this photo also won a national Mencap award. The exhibition went on tour in 2004 and was displayed all over the place, from Bridgend Council Offices to The Welsh Assembly Government, and The Victoria and Albert Museum in London. In 2005 the exhibition was also displayed at The University of Glamorgan and made into a series of postcards. Well done to the group, Bridgend People First, facilitators Sarah and Katrina and our photo worker Alison McGann! This project has had such a major impact, which is exactly what we wanted (see the exhibition here or visit www.bridgendpeoplefirst.co.uk). You can also see it on this web site here.
Young Carers
We worked on a new photographic exhibition project with Bridgend Young Carers group in 2004, looking at positive images and identity and using self representation through the medium of photography. Photography Worker Alison McGann faciitated this project and helped the group make an exhibition which doesn't label them only as carers, but shows their other interests and lives as well.
Betws Community newspaper
The first edition of Betws Community newspaper was produced in August 2004, working with local young people and adults, encouraging local community pride and better communication between local residents, old and young sections of the community, local businesses and groups, and agencies working for community development locally.
After Schools' Arts and Media Projects
(funded by The New Opportunities Fund and working in partnership with Bridgend County Borough Council)
Our busy schools' programme in 2004 included:
Ynysawdre Comprehensive School - working on individual panels in our arts workshops, creating a 'Save Our Planet' mural with images promoting awareness of the environment and respect; Blaengarw Primary School - creating on 3 new murals, based on 3 of the old collieries in Blaengarw, representing each school house and exploring identity, history, families and culture in the valley.
Summer Visual Arts Projects 2004
In summer 2004 we have lots of new visual arts projects - kicking off with a large-scale graffiti wall and dj/ hip hop music summerscheme in Sandfields estate near Port Talbot, producing our first Betws Community Newspaper with children and adults in our village, and running new arts and environment trips to the beach and countryside.
Green Arts Summerscheme
Thanks to funding from The Welsh Assembly Government, we worked in partnership in August 2004 with Groundwork Bridgend, South Wales Fire Service and Bridgend Council on a new anti-arson youth arts and environment project in our village, exploring the nature reserve at Betws Junior school and learning about nature and being safe, using arts, crafts, and photography and designing a fire-resistant garden area with the children. Facilitated by Valley and Vale Photo Worker Alison McGann.
Across the Great Divide
This
exhibition was made by young people in Betws in 2003/4 - using photography
to look at their community from their own viewpoint and showing the
good and the bad, their families, friends and environment. The project
was supported by Communities First, Bridgend County Borough Council
and The Arts Council of Wales. This project was facilitated by Alison
McGann and created a booklet and exhibition which was displayed at
different locations in the village. Funded by a Communities First Trust
Fund grant and supported by The Betws partnership. You can see this
exhibition here.
Talking to the Wall
A new summer graffiti murals project took place in 2004 at the library in Sandfields estate near Port Talbot. Luckily the sun shone enough for the paint to dry and so the murals were completed by September, as well as the recording of an original hip hop track made by local young people as part of the workshop and the filming of a video diary of the project. We worked in partnership for the first time on this summer project with Neath Port Talbot Council and the project was funded by The New Opportunities Fund. Thanks to our arts team who facilitated the workshop - Tim Smith, Luke Jacobs, Jason Camilleri and Kieron Barrett and for the help from Paula, the library team and everyone who joined in to make it such a positive project.
"This was a highly rewarding project as we worked with children from difficult backgrounds on a housing estate with in my opinion an unfair reputation. Over two weeks in the summer of 2004 we worked with children from the estate to create a colourful mural on the outside wall of the local library, as well as creating a rap song about life on the estate. The project has had a hugely positive effect on the estate and the mural is loved by all who live there."
Tim Smith
DEEP
In 2004 we worked in partnership with the DEEP Equal Project and the Welsh Development Agency, to host a creative day for a group of 'Change Agents' from around Wales who are doing research into barriers to employment. We worked with group members to express their research througha range of visual, media and performing art forms, creating exhibitions, a rap CD, an animation and a video record of the day. This work was launched at The Welsh Assembly Government on October 20th 2004. We were amazed at what was achieved in one day thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of everyone involved, and we had great feedback:
"...the partners had a steering group meeting yesterday and were really pleased with the way that the day went. They were really impressed with the work too and how much was achieved in a day! Thanks for making this all possible!!"
(Keda Warwick, Project Manager, DEEP, Welsh Development Agency)
You can see the animation that was created here (broadband connection recommended).
