The first was the student sale during May. Works were drawn from students studying art at three colleges:- the University Of Gloucestershire, the Frink School of Figurative Sculpture, and Wimbledon School Of Art.

The second was the studio sale drawn from several Tyneside groups and two others based in Hackney. The two initiatives supported our aims by giving opportunities to both students, in the first event, and to diversely disadvantaged people in the second.

The student sale took place from the 2nd to the 30th of May 2002 at the offices of ING in the City Of London. Students from three colleges were invited to take part in these events.

Frink School of Figurative Sculpture

The Frink School Of Figurative Sculpture, named after Elisabeth Frink, has for its aims and purpose to train students on a full-time basis in the observational and technical skills of figurative sculpture and to support and encourage the creative potential that is released in this process.

Wimbledon School of Art

Wimbledon School Of Art is one of the major London Art Schools and was founded in 1890. It is a specialist School of Art and Design, which recruits students regionally, nationally and internationally. It is committed to the highest level of quality in education and professional art and design practice, theory and research.

WSA greatly values its links with other institutions and organisations and is pleased to be involved in this project. The work in this exhibition is from WSA students currently working on the MA Drawing and MA Painting Courses. They have contributed a wide range of work incorporating different techniques and media, reflecting their individual responses to contemporary fine art practice.

University of Gloucestershire

The School of Art, Media and Design is situated on a modern purpose-built campus, where 250 students study Fine Art at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral level. The structure of the undergraduate course gives a thorough introduction to the central issues and breadth of discourse within each subject area. As a result, students are able to research and construct their ideas as images with a sound understanding of historical and contemporary language, in conjunction with a range of technical skills. Students work with increasing independence throughout the degree course, as they develop and identify an appropriate visual form for their subject and content.

Drawing is a significant element of the teaching at Cheltenham, as is the Professional Studies component, which aims to give students a thorough introduction and experience of the professional art world and associated careers. Individually determined studio practice is more highly developed at post-graduate level and practice-based doctorates in drawing, painting, object-making and the use of new technologies in Fine Art have been successfully supervised. We are delighted to be able to showcase work selected from our current students for this exhibition and are pleased to have been selected to participate in this excellent event.

The studio sale was the second initiative as a result of a collaboration between ING and The Discerning Eye. It was funded by Arts & Business under their New Partners scheme. It was a unique opportunity to view and buy pictures and sculpture by artists at work in five Community Studios in London and the North East. All promote the use of art as a means of building confidence and good mental health. All have won excellent reputations for producing work of high quality and for meeting their objectives. These are lively and committed groups of accomplished artists who ING are proud to support and encourage other companies to follow suit.

Core Arts

Core Arts is an award-winning mental health arts charity based in Hackney. Core Arts aims to create a space in which people can realise their dreams, unleash their imagination and discover and explore their talents. Having more to do with reducing social exclusion than with traditional day care, Core Arts provides the facilities and its members create the ethos.

We provide a supportive, entertaining and uplifting learning environment, where people interact and collaborate as painters, musicians and poets, not as clients in receipt of treatment and therapy.

The Arts Studio - Sunderland

The Arts Studio in Sunderland began providing free studio space and materials for people suffering from enduring mental illness in 1986. Studio artists are provided with the opportunity to work alongside a range of professional artists in a non stigmatised environment. Our belief is that through the practise of art people suffering from the effects of mental illness can achieve an alternative view of themselves and develop a sense of identity and belonging.

North Tyneside Art Studio

North Tyneside Art Studio is a charitable company which encourages creativity, self expression, and self-determination through giving support for artistic enterprise. Originating from an artist\'s residency in the psychiatric department of a hospital, the studio now provides studio space and materials for around 40 people, with advice and guidance available from professional artists. People mostly develop their individual work and occasionally there are collaborative enterprises or short courses.

An important premise of the company is that it offers a range of opportunities and works with its members to support them in their ambitions. Some studio artists may undertake commissions or residencies, exhibit their work, or attend college. For others, it is important just to use the studio and be part of its community The diversity of the studio\'s membership is reflected in the range of creative work undertaken, such as ceramics, fused glass, painting, metalwork, sculpture and textiles. This opportunity to exhibit and share their work with a wide public is an invaluable block in building our artists\' self esteem. NTAS is supported by North Tyneside Council, the Esmee Fairbairn and the Northern Rock Foundations.

St John-at-Hackney - Community Space Centre

The Art Project has been operating in the Community Space Centre since 1996. Volunteers and our paid workers (themselves practising artists) hold sessions throughout the week in both the drop-in (where people receive lunch and sit and chat), and upstairs in our well equipped studio.

People are encouraged to freely express themselves as well as being offered sessions in drawing, painting (in all mediums), printing, sculpture, photography, multi-media, film and video (including animation).

All materials are provided free. The day centre opens its doors to some 70 people a day, from all faiths, cultures and background, who are disadvantaged by poverty, and experiencing issues including homelessness, drug/alcohol problems, mental ill health, learning difficulties, loneliness and isolation. We aim to prevent homelessness in the area by empowering vulnerable people to improve the quality of their lives by providing support, information, creative opportunities and skills development.

South Tyneside Arts Studio

South Tyneside Arts Studio is a community arts studio open to all people living in South Tyneside. We provide the environment and resources that enable people, both with and without established mental health needs, to participate in creative and artistic activities where mutual creativity can foster personal growth. Integration is the key to our work; we make participatory visual arts accessible and available for anyone who lives in the Borough of South Tyneside. The Studio is open to everyone, however, ensuring that our priority group of members needs are met sensitively and appropriately.

Our facilities include painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, paper-mache, glass and fabric painting etc., and a renovated double garage houses a black and white darkroom and printmaking studio. Basically anything members want to do we will try and accommodate! We run an accredited NCFE course in Practical Craft Skills. The studio has its own gallery in which we exhibit members work and work by outside artists and groups. We also regularly exhibit locally.

 

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