Art Bridge II

"This course has supported me to talk about my work and has validated my existence as an artist. I thought it would be great to be part of a couple of exhibitions and I have found myself entering into huge amounts of research for bigger projects and forming new partnerships."

Art Bridge II: a creative programme for promising artists who face or have faced disabling barriers and want to develop their artistic career. The project participants received a course of professional development devised by Art Shape and led by established disabled artist Zoe Partington  and included a series of talks and workshops by artists such as Tony Heaton, PJ Crook, Rachael Gadsden, Aiden Moseby, Noemie Lakmaier, Poesy Liang and Pam Newell.

Participants were immersed in a supportive studio environment where their creativity and professional practice flourished alongside peers and artist in residence Dr Jim Brook.  

Participants comments about the course..... 

"Being on the course has been an Odyssey in itself. Being part of it has stimulated me to really look at what I am doing with my work and why....at my own journey"

 

The programme contained many elements: 

• Provided support to develop creative practice through access to a mentor
• Provided artists with online resources and discussion groups
• Provided artists with Webinars and filmed artist talks from the studio sessions
• Supported artists to build their online presence
• Provided artists the with opportunity to produce work for a themed touring exhibition
• Supported artists to access other online courses for professional development
• Gave support to extend professional networks

Odyssey Exhibition Tour

Participants created work in response to the theme of 'Odyssey'. New work responding to this theme was commissioned from Jon Adams, Rachel Gadsden and Pam Newell. 

"Superb, thought provoking work. Very glad to have seen it and had a chance to talk to the artists."

 The work created  was exhibited throughout the county, appearing in St Nicholas’ Church Gloucester, The Roses Theatre  Tewkesbury, Hardwick Gallery  Cheltenham  and  finally  The Wilson  in Cheltenham.  Originally it was envisaged as a touring exhibition but each site contained new work as the participants' work developed and flourished.

Find out more about the Odyssey Exhibition Tour Here

Symposium

To celebrate the end of Art Bridge II, Art Shape hosted a Symposium at the Wilson. 

The day featured a themed workshop with Artist in Residence Jim Brook, inspirational talks from artists Zoe Partington, Jon Adams, Mahlia Amatina and Michelle Anderson, facilitated group discussions to move us towards building a more inclusive and representative cultural landscape and more.