Artsparks Leaflet

We welcome your feedback!

Did taking part in this workshop make a difference to your stay in hospital?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Did you enjoy yourself?

-----------------------------------------------------------------Examples of work created in Artsparks workshops

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--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Did you try using different materials?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Do you have any suggestions or comments?

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Artsparks Gallery

Art at the Heart supports the RUH Bath with an award winning art and design programme that stimulates healing and well-being and creates an uplifting environment for patients, visitors and staff.

We reach on average 200,000 people per year through exhibitions, workshops, performances and design.

We provide the RUH with Bath’s largest and most accessible gallery space, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We often show art work created in workshops by patients in our Artsparks Gallery, situated on the Ground Floor, Zone B. As well as participatory workshops on the Children’s and Older Patient’s (OPU) wards, we also deliver a professional live public music programme. Furthermore, we integrate artworks and design into new builds and refurbishments.

If you would like to find out more about Art at the Heart please visit www.artatruh.org T: 01225 824987 e: hetty.dupays@nhs.net e: jessicashoemack@nhs.net Charity No. 1058323

Artsparks

Art at the Heart of the RUH

www.artatruh.org | @artatruh

Lead Artist

Visiting Artist

Edwina Bridgeman Edwina Bridgeman started art workshops on the Children’s ward in 2006; she uses a variety of materials from the scrap store as well as recycled materials in her workshops.

Charlotte Stowell

She describes her Artsparks sessions as very open, no right or wrong. She likes the children to have ownership of the work and to be able to experiment with the materials.

Participants get involved in collaborative work as well as individual artwork, spraying fabric, using wallpaper and pattern books, stickers and pens. Children are proud of their creations and become absorbed in the making. Edwina says she is always delighted at the friendships made in hospital. Mutual support between children and families is very evident.

In one of Edwina’s workshops, participants spent time drawing on felt and they transformed their drawings by sewing them in to 3D objects. These objects have now become comforters. The ward is a place where young people do not have the same peer pressure as at school and it is valuable for them to have the opportunity to make and play with freedom.

Charlotte Stowell works primarily with fimo modelling clay, in assorted colours. The material is very tactile and using a variety of moulds and cutters, children can create three dimensional models as well as simple, flat designs.

“More artists like this. Range was great and really enjoyed myself.”

Shapes can be embellished with different patterns and details, making decorations and small plaques with lettering, mixing colours together to create marbled patterns.

These activities are a good way to bring parents together as a group; one parent said she felt better and more relaxed after joining in with the group activity. The parents can then introduce the activity at home and continue making artwork with their child or children.

“Fantastic workshop, my daughter wanted to stay another night” “Great opportunity for children to try Parent new activities. Thank you.” Parent

Patient

“My daughter found this very therapeutic and loved the way she could take part from her bed as she doesn’t have much energy.” Parent Artsparks is generously funded by the Friends of the RUH, who provide amenities and comforts for patients and relatives which could not otherwise be provided by the NHS. This includes having volunteers across the hospital, fundraising along with a Coffee Shop and Shop. Thanks to the Friends of the RUH for their support and to Bath Decorative and Fine Art Society for contributing to the cost of art materials.