A local arts and mental health charity is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a special exhibition at Bath Central Library.
The exhibition – organised by Creativity Works – showcases the work of this year’s Fresh Art@ project, there are highlights from the charitie’s 40-year history and photography by Keynsham Snap & Stroll.
Creativity Works Director, Sarah James said: “Because of the pandemic, it has been an extremely challenging 18 months, and we are so excited to be able to share these artworks, photography and a small snapshot of our history, with you in person. We hope that you will be able to come and visit and be inspired.”
Fresh Art@ is an innovative project that harnesses the power of creativity to make a real difference to the lives of people who have been experiencing mental health challenges and social isolation. This project has been created in partnership with Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust, Bath Museums Partnership, Bath Mind and Virgin Care.
During the 7 years this project has been running, it has supported people to explore their creativity both in museum-based settings and on-ward hospital sessions, creating further pathways to creative and cultural activities across Bath and North East Somerset.
This year’s exhibition showcases the artwork that was created and inspired by workshops held online by virtually visiting the Holburne, No. 1 Royal Crescent and The American Museum between February – April 2021. Participants usually get to visit the museums in person, but due to the pandemic the whole project was taken online.
There is also an exhibition celebrating 40 years of Creativity Works which shares a snapshot from its grassroots beginnings in 1981, through a few name changes, to where it is now. This additional exhibition looks back over the charity’s 40-year history and highlights a ‘Top 10’ projects from its archives, including work from some of its peer-led groups, that share the breadth and depth of the charity’s work – both geographically and working with different communities.
Thanks go to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for enabling the archive project.
Exhibition Dates [please check the Bath Library website for latest opening times before your visit]:
Opens at 10am on Monday 11th October runs until the morning of 28th October [Exhibition will be taken down on the afternoon of the 28th]
Opening times [as per library]:
Monday to Thursday 10am to 5pm
Friday 10am to 4.30pm
Saturday 9:30am to 4:30pm
For any more information about Fresh Art@ please visit: http://www.creativityworks.org.uk/what-we-do/for-mental-health/about-fresh-art/
