The award of an RSA grant, following a submitted proposal to fund a series of workshops at the Expressions Art Studio, has enabled me to work with people who are supported through Milestones Trust .

This offers a unique opportunity for us to express the creative self through art and enable those involved to show their work at the festival in July.

This project aims to re-connect people who have been significantly isolated during as creatives in their local communities.

Producing portraits offers a connection to self, perception, and image, to present to the outside world with the goal of reducing stigma about mental health within communities, through offering positive experiences and to normalise mental health through the expression of self in art.

Our sessions are focused on portrait painting and explore famous portrait paintings and styles, resulting in a series of portraits that represent us in our current post pandemic landscape to be exhibited at the Expressions Arts festival July 22nd, 2022, at Paintworks, Bristol.

The Royal Society for Arts, manufactures and commerce are a fellowship committed to a future that works for everyone. A future where all can participate in its creation.

The RSA has been at the forefront of significant social impact for over 260 years with a proven change process, rigorous research, innovative ideas platforms and diverse global community of over 30,000 problem-solvers, deliver solutions for lasting change. The RSA champion curiosity, creativity, and courage to inspire better ways of thinking and doing, which mirrors the values of the Expressions studio and Milestones Trust.

Follow the links below for more on what Milestones and the RSA do.

https://www.thersa.org/projects

https://www.milestonestrust.org.uk