Almost 200 guests packed into the gallery hall at the Newhampton Arts Centre for a fantastic evening to celebrate the launch of an exhibition organised by the Good Shepherd to mark Recovery Month in September.
The exhibition, the culmination of nine months of different workshops thanks to funding from Arts Council England, features work produced by people at various stages of their recovery journeys from issues including homelessness, addiction and poor mental health.
Hosted by local comedian Jack Kirwan, opening night included participants also delivering soliloquies relating to their journeys and the workshops, in front of guests including the Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Linda Leach, and Wolverhampton MPs Warinder Juss and Sureena Brackenridge.
“We have been fortunate to stage several art exhibitions in recent years, including being part of the British Art Show when it came to Wolverhampton in 2022, and I am always massively proud of the events which the Good Shepherd deliver,” says CEO Tom Hayden.
“I think the launch of this year’s Recovery exhibition was even more special, both thanks to the numbers of people that came along but also the energy and atmosphere within the room, not to mention the powerful testimonies shared by participants.
“Seeing all the people who are going through various journeys of Recovery both exhibiting their work and standing up to deliver their presentations, deservedly becoming the stars of the show, just reminds me how much these activities mean to the people we support.
“Our Community Engagement Worker Kate Penman once again did a fantastic job in co-ordinating the project, but it was also a huge team effort involving many other charities and agencies which show the power of community spirit which exists in Wolverhampton.
“We would all like to thank everyone who came along on the night, including the Mayor and two of our local MPs, whose support and contribution made it even more special for all of those involved.”
That partnership working included the Good Shepherd linking up with SUIT – Service User Involvement Team, Recovery Near You, Wolverhampton 360, Creative Black Country and the University of Wolverhampton, as well as being able to engage so many creative practitioners to lead the workshops and deliver such a high quality project.
“It has been a brilliant example of teamwork from everyone involved, and incredible that Art Council England have trusted us – a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and other disadvantages – with such a impactful project,” says Kate.
“Myself and everyone else were truly overwhelmed by the city’s support of the launch event and the passion and commitment of the participants, and the creative practitioners who led the workshops.
“We were given the opportunity to produce something special and groundbreaking to mark Recovery Month, and we ran with it. Thanks to the work of so many people, and the courage of all of those going through their recovery journeys, I think we have managed to smash it out of the park!”
The exhibition is now on show in the gallery hall during opening hours of Newhampton Arts Centre up to and including Thursday, September 26th. Some of the art will then be on show on Friday, September 27th, from 4pm-7pm in the Urban Rooms ‘01902’ at 19 Queen Square next to the ‘man on the horse!’
Elsewhere on Friday, September 27th, from 6pm the project will take over the ‘Friday Lates’ session at Wolverhampton Art Gallery, a fitting finale which will include the screening of two specially commissioned videos around the subjects of homelessness and men’s mental health. There will also be a free experimental drawing workshop with Hannah Boyd McKee, a live art session delivered by Matt Lloyd – aka Matt the Artist – and music from Fissionsound. There will also be some more examples from the Spoken Word workshops, delivered by poet and lyricist Bones and the Recovery Art group.
PICTURES: KERI HUNT
Issue #15 of ‘Collectivism’ Celebrates Recovery Month 2024. Featuring artwork and testimonies from those in recovery from addiction, mental health issues and the trauma of homelessness, we aim to challenge the existing stigma surrounding said issues and encourage people to embark on their own personal journeys of recovery. View Here