Every Monday beneficiaries of the HOPE Project meet with Artist Kara Shepherd and Development Worker Angus Carmichael to participate in a range of activities that include art therapy sessions. Since April Kara has been volunteering her time to plan and run sessions at CFINE. She also attends the first in the series of HOPE pre-release workshops at HMP Grampian.
The art sessions cover a variety of themes and mediums of art. These have included making sand dolphins on the beach, leaf print making, and creating a seascape from items washed up at the Greyhope Bay and the Donmouth Beach as part of a focus on upcycling and environmentalism.
Kara has always believed that art is for everyone, for people of all skill levels, and all walks of life, highlighting its therapeutic and cathartic benefits. Kara stresses how the sessions help to promote social skills, critical thinking, and provide a safe space for the group to come together and express themselves creatively. She quotes the great German artist, Gerhard Richter, who stated that “Art is the highest form of HOPE”.
Along with the art sessions the group have also baked millionaires’ shortbread in the Cook at the ‘Nook, participated in gardening tasks at Tullos Community Garden, visited the Maritime Museum and explored the Nuart Aberdeen Street Art.
While visiting the different Nuart pieces stickers depicting scenes of everyday life by Inverness-based artist MicroMischief were a favorite among the group. Following on from this MicroMischief kindly created some stickers especially for the HOPE Team – which now adorn the room!
Art created by the team is on display at CFINE’s premises at Poynernook Road, reminding us all of the healing power of art and its importance as a symbol of HOPE!
