FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER, 2015

EMBARGOED UNTIL PHOTO OPPORTUNITY: 10.45AM, 24 NOVEMBER 2015, FORFAR FIRE STATION, TRAINING ROOM, STRANG STREET, FORFAR

Glasswork on show at Angus art exhibition

A new glass art exhibition created by members of the Forfar Stroke Group was unveiled today (Tuesday, 24 November).

The artwork, which was displayed in the Forfar Fire Station training room, was produced as part of the ST/ART arts project.

ST/ART is an arts project for stroke and acquired brain injury participants across Tayside, run by Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT), in association with NHS Tayside.

During the fused glass art course, participants produced a range of glass works, including bowls, coasters and jewellery items.

Lead artist Rachel Bower and volunteer artist Shona Barr worked with the group over the eight-week programme and encouraged the participants to explore a variety of techniques to produce their own samples and then design their own finale piece, a rock-pool themed glass bowl.

Rachel said, “Fusing glass is a process that everyone can enjoy regardless of the outcomes of their stroke. Handling the material and preparing the designs can be as simple or complex as they choose and although the fusing is done elsewhere in my studio kiln, it is all the participants work.

“The group has been enthusiastic from the very start and have produced some wonderful work with the bowls being particularly spectacular.”

Chris Kelly, THAT projects co-ordinator, said, “The group have responded very well to Rachel’s programme and we have seen the enthusiasm grow every week.

“We have worked with the group for a number of years providing them with a wide range of creative opportunities and although they always respond very positively they have rated this as the best work they have done yet.”

THAT was set up in 2002 and promotes creative engagement, using a variety of different art forms, as a means of improving the health and wellbeing of participants with a range of long term conditions.

For further information please contact Chris Kelly on 01382 835507 or ckelly3@nhs.net

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134