Trees of Green

The new building is progressing well despite the winter weather and discussing floor coverings and what colours to paint the walls, makes it feel as if the day for actually using the new art studios is becoming a reality. I am often asked by some of the people we care for “When are we going to do art again?” and so we count up the days left until Open Day.

The Art and craft rooms will be divided into two main areas, for different types of activity. The “dry “ studio will be used for drawing, textiles and relatively clean types of media; the “wet” studio will be used more for painting, printing, clay work, sculpture etc.

Children are all born creative but for the vast majority of people, especially those we care for at CFL, instead of this being encouraged and fostered, the creative spark becomes lost among the difficulties of growing up. At CFL we encourage them to dare to try again. We believe that all people are made in the image of God, their creator and so we must accept them as individuals of unconditional worth.

Some of the people we work with need a fairly high level of assistance with attempting new activities and I would plan to have groups of no more than four people working at any one time in each studio with a member of staff or a volunteer with them.

There will be opportunities in the studios to try a wide variety of different media, for people who have had little, or no chance of exploring them. School has often been a difficult time for those we care for, not a positive learning experience. They can struggle to express themselves verbally, or find an outlet for some of their painful memories. The Art project will offer a chance to lean new skills, but we intend too that through it people will also find a sense of achievement and self worth through positive experiences of self-expression.

People will be offered a half day session on the project initially once a week. As they develop new skills and become more self- motivated I would anticipate them being able to have more time in the studios. The places on the project will be open to people in our residential homes and also some of those who come to day time activities that we support through the Housing Support team, so we anticipate 25 to30 initial participants.

Volunteer input will be very important. We already have a group of volunteers who help with activities alongside the people we care for. Some have offered special skills, for instance using a sewing machine, drawing, weaving or ceramics. Having their help means we can extend the range of media we can explore and their expertise ensures that activities are done safely and well.

Above all what we hope to generate in art and craft is a climate where people will feel free to discover and express their dormant gifts embedded by the Creator, deep in their souls which have never dared be shown the light of day. All of this without fear of mockery or humiliation. As we plan, we are confident that the results will be people growing in self esteem and dignity but most importantly, joyously vibrant with the God given gifts they have discovered.