What are the challenges, and rewards, of creating participatory arts projects that focus on mental health? Why is this work important and how should it be supported?
For this one day gathering, SMHAF is inviting artists and organisations from across Scotland to share their experiences of working on projects funded by Creative Scotland and the Baring Foundation.
We will explore subjects from social prescription to creative projects in hospitals, while inviting attendees to contribute to Mistress Pieces, an interactive artwork by artist Jen Hyatt (in the Project Space, just next door to the main venue). There’s also the chance to take home your own Befriendable Black Dogs, created by artist Luke ‘Luca’ Cockayne who will be sharing their work in the venue throughout the day.
A free light lunch will also be provided for all attendees.
Join us for a day of lively discussion and learning, and add your voice to the conversation.
Find out more by emailing Andrew at aeaton-lewis@mentalhealth.org.uk
Full programme
Opening session: what does good practice look like?
11am-12.30pm
What are the key factors that make a participatory arts project successful? We bring together a panel of experts who have worked on recent projects for Findhorn Bay Arts, Independent Arts Projects, Alchemy Film and Arts (Hawick), Lapidus Scotland, Inverclyde Community Care Forum, and Flourish House in Glasgow to share their work and compare experiences.
Working with hospitals
1.15pm-2.45pm
A sharing and discussion session with Rachel McBrinn and James Thomson, recently film-makers in residence at Royal Edinburgh Hospital, and Heather Lander (Project Ability) and Fiona Sinclair (Art in the Gart) who are currently working together on an exhibition which opens at Gartnavel Royal Hospital as part of this year’s SMHAF programme.
Exploring social prescription
3pm-4pm
What is social prescription and what are the benefits? Find out more from experts including Aya Iguchi-Sherry of Artlink Central, which has been running an adult mental health social prescription service in Stirling since 2003, and Helen Moore of Lyth Arts Centre, which recently launched a new participatory, creative social prescribing project in Caithness.
Mistress Pieces: a talk by artist Jen Hyatt
4.15pm-5pm
(The Mistress Pieces installation will also be available to view, and contribute to, throughout the day)
To finish the programme, artist Jen Hyatt shares her story of empowering other people through participatory art projects. In 2007, Hyatt experienced a psychotic episode during which she scrawled various thoughts – her ‘mistress pieces’ – on to a living room wall. The same year she staged an event at a row of condemned houses in Hackney, London, where she invited estate residents to record their memories of the buildings with paints and spray cans. Hyatt went on to create a digital mental health service, Big White Wall, which supported people to freely express their feelings. Mistress Pieces is now a book – and a participatory artwork, presented as part of this event, which will evolve throughout the day.
Drop-In
Befriendable Black Dogs by Luke ‘Luca’ Cockayne
11am-5pm
Artist Luke ‘Luca’ Cockayne’s Befriendable Black Dogs project aims to raise awareness of mental health and actively reduce distress during moments of mental health crisis. Luca has created a series of ceramic prototype black dogs and is working towards producing a life size sculpture that can be used in public spaces. Come and meet Luca and the Befriendable Black Dogs throughout the day, and maybe even purchase a new pal!
