It’s been a busy first third of the year for both Evolve Wales and Able Wales in Gwent House, Cwmbran! As always, tutors Lucy and Alan have planned appealing workshops covering a variety of fun activities, education, and new skills.

Evolve Wales, a group dedicated to developing the potential for those with disabilities to succeed, have been studying a range of topics including:

  • Lowry landscapes working towards a wonderful modern Cwmbran meets 1960 Ebbw Vale mashup.
  • Similarities between Lowry and Kyffin Williams have been observed along with the introduction to using a pallet knife for painting.
  • The meaning and design behind Welsh Love Spoons along with the creation of paper mâché versions of spoons.
  • The effect of framing artwork, with focusing on framing scraper boards.
  • Dissembling and reassembling the humble tulip.

Able Wales is a life skills centre dedicated to providing person centred care and supporting individuals with learning disabilities, neurodivergent conditions and complex care needs. The group have been enjoying lively workshops focusing on the artist Laurie and creating domestic/ still life paintings, playing with the side of objects and working with contrasting colours.

Comments from both groups reflect the extent of enjoyment that the workshops bring:

” I like coming to here and saying…what are we doing today…it’s exciting. I like being here” Tom, service user.

” …my life is very stressful, I like to come here and make stuff. It takes my mind off things” Jemma, service user.

” I like seeing my stuff on the wall, having a cup of tea with these people and looking out of the window at Cwmbran ” Robert P., Priory Care

” I just love the walk over and we have a laugh…it’s a lovely way to spend a Friday afternoon and the group love coming here.” Sharon Taylor, Evolve support worker 

Here, in LifewithArt head office, we always enjoy seeing the photos from the workshops and look forward to seeing what lies ahead in Cwmbran, for the rest of this year!