The Art Space is The Spring's free, creative space where anyone, regardless of their previous experience or current situation, is welcome to take part in free visual art activities. Together we can create joyful, fun experiences for those who may otherwise not be able to access them.

Everyone faces challenges in life and we believe that taking part in creative activities such as drawing, painting and crafts can help us get on top of these challenges - or at least face them with improved perspective and a lighter heart. We think that everyone has the right to take part in creative activities that will make them feel better. But sadly we know that not everyone has the confidence, experience or opportunity to do so.

The Art Space is a series of welcoming, inclusive sessions designed to reach the most vulnerable, isolated or lonely people in our community. They are for people who have not dared to try an art activity since they were ridiculed by a teacher at school. They are for people who spend their days caring for others and not taking time for themselves. They are for people with learning difficulties, disabilities or neurodiverse conditions which may make them nervous about attending other creative sessions.

Everyone is welcome at The Art Space in friendly, informal sessions that offer friendship, a listening ear and some positive creative activities that are individually tailored to each participant. Everyone who attends is given a smile, a free cuppa and biscuit and either encouragement in their own work or some advice and guidance on how to get started with a creative project.

The Art Space is especially designed to reach people in our community who may not feel able to take part in the paid-for workshops offered by The Spring. The sessions are free and are led by Jemma Corbin, a professional artist and tutor with specialist experience in creative activities for wellbeing.

In the aftermath of Covid, we believe The Art Space is more necessary than ever and we need your help to make it happen!

Edit (Nov 2021):

The Art Space sessions launched in September 2021. They have been regularly attended by individual adults, two groups of adults with learning disabilities and a group from a psychiatric unit. They are so popular that from January 2022 we are increasing the availability of sessions and will now offer two sessions a week during term time (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 12noon ). This makes your support even more important to ensure we can continue to offer this service to local people.

Thank you.