Art + Healing launches tonight at the Free Space Gallery and is a typically interactive month-long affair. Promising to be an intimate show of “emotive work by art therapists and art therapy clients”, each artwork has a unique story, the result of a life-changing process.
“The wide range of work in the exhibition,” says organiser Mel Hardwick, “showcases the versatility of art therapy as a process, as well as the positive effect it has on the lives of people.”
Mel will also be running a series of workshops based on art therapy techniques as well as free one-to-one sessions, held by Cate Smail, director of the Art Therapy Agency. Oh, and there’s a chance to have an “emotional x-ray” at the hands of Maria Galvez Patino. We quite like the sound of that.
However it’s not all good news. “Unfortunately we are facing the imminent end of the Free Space Gallery,” says curator Melissa Hardwick. “We have been in operation for three years, have given many people their first chance of an exhibition, hosted loads of free workshops and events and changed the working environment for the staff and patients of the Kentish Town Health Centre.
“And while we have many plans for next year – to convert the garden into a growing spaces for the local community, and to work with patients who suffer from chronic pain express to themselves artistically – we will not be able to complete any of this, as our funding will run out in six months’ time.”
Can you help? Whether that’s a yes or no, come along tonight or this weekend and support this valuable local asset.
