Faces of Art Exhibition

Cosgrove Care’s multi-media art exhibition, held on the evening of Monday 11th May, was a huge success with about 200 members of the public turning up. The event, which showcased the work of 8 young people with learning disabilities, was the culminating stage of an arts project Faces of Art, sponsored by Awards for All.

 

The walls of the venue were covered in photographs of the group performing dance routines and free movement in outside spaces, alongside pictures of ‘light graffiti’ and self-portraits. One room played a projection of the group dancing, whereas in another room a soundscape played of thoughts and memories about colour.

 

Walter Hecht, Cosgrove’s Chief Executive, said: “The aim of our Faces of Art project was to empower, enthuse and enable young people with learning disabilities by offering them the opportunity to engage with art through active participation and self- expression. This exhibition was a great opportunity for the general public to appreciate that, through the medium of art, people with learning disabilities are able to convey their own experiences and emotions in a powerful and thought-provoking way. We didn’t want people to come along and just say ‘ah, that’s nice’. We wanted people to be confronted with a serious collection of art that challenged any preconceptions about the ability of this group of young people; to go away with more questions than answers.”

 

“Families of the artists were also able to witness first hand how such a project is invaluable in terms of increasing confidence and boosting self-esteem, as well as equipping them with new practical and creative skills.”

 

Faces of Art ran over 6 months, delivering a series of workshops focusing on a variety of disciplines: music, dance/movement, drama, visual and tactile arts. By supporting and validating the emotional and mental health needs of people with learning disabilities Cosgrove achieved the following benefits:

 

• The development of sensory awareness and motor skills, and new practical, creative skills.
• The stimulation of free creative thinking and non- judgmental self-expression.
• The communication of emotions, thoughts and feelings through creative means not dependent on verbal articulation or written skills.
• The personal enrichment gained through social interaction, and the excitement and enjoyment of art.
• Raising awareness of the invaluable services and projects Cosgrove provide

 

Cosgrove hopes to secure more funding to continue running Faces of Art workshops.