bristol art for all
Bristol
My name is Amy Powell and I am a catalyst for reconnecting people with their
innate creativity. At Bristol Art For All we facilitate friendly, inclusive
learning environments where people can explore their creativity. We started in
2015 running an open access drop in face-to-face community art class in Easton
in Bristol. From December 2019 to March 2020 sessions moved to Hamilton House in
Stokes Croft Bristol and since April 2020 have been online. Online sessions are
run in partnership with local charities as well as sessions open to all adults.
Current partners include Age UK and St Mungo’s Recovery College. All online
sessions are around a theme selected by the participants, who use the art
materials and skills they already have to devise their own projects. Support is
on hand to give input on what is made. The sessions act as an online art studio
with time for making and opportunities to share and get feedback on artwork.
Participants are seen as artists first with the acceptance that we are all on
our own life journeys. The focus is on creating learning environments where
people enjoy the process of making. With this strong foundation people can have
the confidence and resilience to develop further skills. This website gives a
taste of the work made over the course of Bristol Art For All. Myself and Rosa
Hewitt began Bristol Art For All in 2015. In 2017 Rosa went to the University of
Hertfordshire to study Art Therapy. She now works in London as an art therapist
with children. I continued with the project in Bristol with the support of
volunteers, building my knowledge, experience and skills by studying courses in
teaching, facilitation, communication and social enterprise. As well as
volunteering with Arts and Health organisations including Studio Upstairs,
Bristol Art on Prescription, Workers Education Association (WEA), Milestones
Expressions programme and St Mungos Recovery College where I currently run their
online art class. I love being a catalyst for people to reconnect with their
creativity. It is a great privilege to have worked with over 200 people across
Bristol and beyond. Some have attended for years others for one session but all
have been welcome and encouraged in their art making. I am currently in the
process of making Bristol Art For All into an online art school to reach people
who would otherwise struggle to access mainstream arts education. I am
interested to connect with organisations, which work with clients who would
benefit from exploring and developing their creativity with the support of being
in a group.
