Let's Figure it Out!
Visitors will be able to ‘figure out’ what mental wellbeing means to them when the People’s History Museum hosts an exhibition of artwork by service users from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Service users and staff from the Trust’s Recovery Pathways service will be launching the exhibition on Tuesday 8 October during Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 to showcase the work of the creative wellbeing service, which offers sessions to a wide range of people across Manchester.
Recovery Pathways Lead, Charlotte Brown, said: “We’re delighted the People’s History Museum has agreed to host our Figure it Out exhibition.
“During the week a variety of artwork will be on display from painting and photography to ceramics and textiles.
“Our service harnesses the power of creative activity to help people maintain or improve their mental wellbeing. Sometimes being in a group with others is enough to start building resilience and our service can be a vital step to adjust after a stay in hospital or a period of enduring mental ill health.
“This exhibition has been an opportunity for all our artists to explore what mental wellbeing means to them through the subject of the figure and the work displayed is a powerful testimony from those who have lived experience of mental ill health and recovery.
“We think everyone can benefit their mental wellbeing by taking part in creative activities, that’s why we’re offering creative sessions for people to try throughout the week. They are completely free and there’s no need to book – just drop in and try one of our activities for yourself.”
The exhibition will run from Tuesday 8 October to Friday 11 October with public taster sessions running throughout the week. Timetable and poster below.
Register here.
Free Taster Sessions Timetable
Tuesday October 8
10:30am to 11:30am - People and Patterns
Create a crowd scene using illustrative techniques
12 noon to 2:00pm - Exhibition Preview and lunch
2:30pm to 3:30pm - People and Places
Use ink and masking tape in this multimedia painting exercise
Wednesday October 9
10:30am to 11:30am - Character Collage
Describe something about yourself through a collage
12 noon to 2:00pm - Manchester Wellbeing Fund Event
Find out about funding available from Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT to support community groups, which support wellbeing, across the City of Manchester
2:30pm to 3:30pm - Wellbeing Dolls
Use the ancient South-American tradition of making ‘worry dolls’ and turn the concept on its head
Thursday October 10
10:30 to 11:30am - Creative Writing
Spark your imagination using language games to build found poetry
12 noon to 1:00pm - Quick Print
Print a figure using the quick print technique
1:15pm to 2:15pm - Figures in Motion
Cut and draw to create scenes of people moving and interacting
2:30pm to 3:30pm - Doodle Figures
Draw your own figure using continuous line exercises
5:00pm to 7:00pm - Monumental Words
Press your own ‘word for Wellbeing’ into our clay monument form
Friday October 11
10:30am to 11:30am - Character Collage
Describe something about yourself through a collage
12 noon to 1:00pm - Mindful Marks
Use graphite, charcoal and ink to slow down, connect to your senses and play
1:15pm to 2:15pm - Doodle Figures
Draw your own figure using continuous line exercises
2:30pm to 3:30pm - Doodle Figures
Draw your own figure using continuous line exercises
Download the timetable here - Exhibition Session Programme.pdf
