Pum Dunbar in Mailout Magazine

Pum Dunbar, a Glasgow based artist involved with Project Ability since the late 90's, shared her experience in the 'Art Changing Lives' section of the last Mailout Magazine (June/July/August 2010, page 21).

"Dear Project Ability,

When I was referred to your organisation in the late 1990s I did not believe I had the ability to be an artist. My Psychiatrist at the time was aware of the fact that although I was very depressed and in the grip of anorexia (an illness which I struggled with until recently) I was painting and using this image making as an outlet for expressing often unconsciously the emotional problems I was experiencing. She asked if I would like to attend an open studio, the Trongate Studios, a project for artists with long term mental health problems. Unfortunately my many problems persisted for years. Your organisation provided me with a physical space and art materials which allowed me to engage in my creative process in a structured and safe environment. But most importantly your organisation housed some incredible staff whose enduring support and encouragement allowed me to find my true calling as a creative artist. It has been a huge work in progress and for me my success has been in beating anorexia, learning how to live with my autism, and to stay balanced and mentally well so I can produce exciting and rich visual thinking with which to communicate to people and to sustain communication with aspects of myself. Ultimately I am now beginning to fulfil my ambition of being an autonomous artist who can feed back into her community and inspire belief in the power of art to transform the individual and enrich society.

Yours, sincerely so,

Pum Dunbar"

Many thanks, Pum!

Posted on 28th June 2010 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists  News 

Open Day at Project Ability in celebration of Learning Disability Week

Saturday 26th June, 10am – 4pm, in Project Ability’s workshops (Trongate 103).

Art Trek & Friends and Project Ability are hosting an open day to mark Learning Disability Awareness Week 2010.

Open to everybody, this event is the perfect opportunity to see Project Ability’s superb new workshop in Trongate 103, and to try our facilities. Come and find out about our different classes and projects, meet the artists and try one of our free workshops!

The workshops will be running and be repeated throughout the day, and will be co-facilitated by one tutor and two members of Art Trek & Friends. No booking required.

10-11am / 12-1pm / 2-3pm: silk painting, mixed media drawing, block printing.

Posted on 22nd June 2010 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists  News  Workshops 

Catriona Thomson, artist in residence June 2010

Catriona Thomson is the second artist to be awarded one of Project Ability's six one month residencies. Congratulations to Catriona. The six selected artists will exhibit their work in the gallery in January 2011.

The other artists taking part in the programme are:

-May: Simon McAuley (Connect)

-July: Michael Earl (Create)

-Aug: Gary Turner (Aspire)

-September: James Feeney (Connect)

Click here for more information on Catriona and her work.

Posted on 21st June 2010 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists  News 

Plenty of summer activities for children and young people!

There is plenty to do at Project Ability this summer! Between the Summer Art Rammy with Trongate 103, First Light, lots of great workshops, you're bound to find something that suits your taste!

Here's a quick summary of what we have planned, just click on the links for more information:

- First Light, 3 series of workshops throughout June, July and August,  where young people will produce 4 short films. (Bookings are closed).
- Introduction to banner making, Saturday 19 June, for young people aged 8-16, as part of Family Week End.
- Art Trek & Friends Open Day, Saturday 26 June, open to everybody, just drop in to see our facilities and participate in varied workshops.
- Green Screen Scenes, with Street Level Photoworks, Tuesday 6 July, for young people aged 13-16, as part of the Summer Art Rammy.
- Banner making workshops, Tuesday 13 July & Thursday 15 July, for children aged 8-12, as part of the Summer Art Rammy.
- Window Art, Saturday 17 July, for children aged 8-16, as part of Family Week End.
- Create your own Facebook profile, Wednesday 21 July, for young people aged 14-25.

And there are more to come for August! Make sure you check our website for updates.

Workshops and activities are FREE for all children but pre booking is strongly advised. Call T103 reception now 0141 276 8380 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to book your place.

Click here to learn more about the Summer Art Rammy and to see what the other organisations in Trongate 103 have planned.

Posted on 7th June 2010 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News 

A filming crew in Project Ability!

IRISS (The Institute for Research and Innovation in Social Services) is producing a series of portrait films of artists at Project Ability, in order to showcase the positive impact that art can have on all aspects of people’s lives. The films also aim to highlight the collaboration between the artists, their support agencies and Project Ability.

The crew started filming this morning, and will be mainly focusing on six artists, each of them discussing their achievements and showing how they work. In the spotlight today: Aspire artists Doreen Kay and Fletcher Stubbs. Make sure to check out the films once they’re online!

Image: Tom Muirr

Posted on 2nd June 2010 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News