Project Ability : blog

Next Friends and Family Fun Workshop: Glass painting

The last Friends and Family Fun Weekend will take place on Saturday 18 May. These workshops have proven very successful throughout the year, as they provide the opportunity for young people with disabilities and their friends and families to participate in an exciting programme of visual arts activities.

Participants have had the chance to try their hand at making junk sculptures, snow globes, cards, mosaics, and many more! For our last workshop, young participating artists will try glass painting! What's more you can take away a goody bag of ideas and materials to help you continue structured arts activities at home.

Saturday 18 May, 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm. Free.

For more information, please click here or call us on 0141 552 2822

Photo by Tom Manley

Posted on 8th May 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

New stock in Project Ability’s shop

This week we have had various new additions to our shop here at Project Ability. Above is just one sample of some brilliant new watercolour and ink drawings by Cameron Morgan.

We also have a few more of Ruth Mutch's wonderful hand-stitched felt dolls. Each doll is a unique design and they are for sale at a bargain £20.00, and are only available in our shop.

Artist Susan Christie has added to our stock of small drawings with these quirky little pieces, which can also be given as gift cards.

Our shop is open for business Tuesday to Saturday from 10am till 5pm and is right next to our gallery where we are currently showing a solo exhibition by Luigi Bertonesi.

Posted on 3rd May 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Shop Trongate 103

Luigi Bertonesi, Untitled – Artwork of the Week #05

To mark the first exhibition in our Solo Showcase season, we bring you this colourful drawing by Luigi Bertonesi as the Artwork of the Week!

Luigi has been attending Project Ability’s studio for over ten years, the exhibition presents drawings that he made in the workshop alongside a selection made at home of his own accord.

Luigi’s work is currently on show in Project Ability Gallery until 4 May – don’t miss the chance to see this remarkable collection of visionary images of autobiographical content, mastered into hundreds of hand-coloured, panoramic drawings of spanning Africa, South America, Holland and Gibraltar.

Luigi Bertonesi is the first in three consecutive weeklong solo showcases presenting the diverse artistic practices of the artists from our Aspire programme.

Posted on 27th April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Open Gallery @ Glasgow Print Studio

On Thursday 25^th April drama artist Clare Hume invited Aspire artists to join her at Glasgow Print Studio for a multi-sensory exploration of the exhibition Tableau Vivant by Calum Mackenzie.

The multi textured artworks were a gift for the group. They told each other stories, danced, sang and were transformed into living sculptures.

“she had as walking about kidding on we were partying - smoking and drinking and living the “good” life, shaking hands and introducing every one. We crinkled up wrapping paper and bubble wrap and shook it about. We put on angel wings like John Travolta in Michael.” Tommy Mason

Tomorrow is the turn of Eastmuir Primary School.

The Open Gallery workshops are funded by the Bank of Scotland Foundation and provide children and adults with learning disabilities, sensory impairments and autistic spectrum disorders, their teachers and carers, with opportunities to explore and engage with contemporary visual art.

Posted on 27th April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

Friends & Family Fun Weekend - Saturday 27 April

Free Mosaic workshop this Saturday as part of our Friends and Family Fun Programme!

Bring the family along and create your very own mosaic art! Learn how to arrange, cut and set your tiles to create an amazing mosaic plaque. What’s more you can take away a goodie bag of ideas and materials so you can continue to be creative at home.

For more information on our Friends and Family Fun Programme, including how to book, please click here.

Posted on 23rd April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

Fantastic dolls by Ruth Mutch now on sale in our shop

After producing two books ('Say What You Mean' and 'It Might Look Simple to You'), this year's calendar, and showing her work in several exhibitions (including You, me and ASD currently on show in Trongate 103), the very talented Ruth Mutch has started a new artistic endeavour: these beautifully crafted dolls.

It's as if Aspen and other characters in her illustrations came to life! The felt dolls are now on sale in our shop in Trongate 103, for only £20. You can also order your own customized doll, like the Loki doll below, for £35.

If you are not yet familiar with Ruth's illustrations, just have a look at her blog: http://www.penguinparade.co.uk/

Posted on 16th April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Shop Trongate 103

New Postcards

We have some fabulous new postcards designed by Project Ability artists, in our shop on the 1st floor.

You can see above 'Boat' by Scott Smith, 'Head' by David Bradley, 'Untitled by Ronnie McCulloch and 'The Beegees' by Jemma Gilchrist.

Posted on 5th April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Shop Trongate 103

‘You, me and ASD’ made the 6 o’clock news!

The opening event of You, Me and ASD made the 6 o'clock news on STV, with a short segment featuring two of the artists present and Project Ability's very own Celine McIlmunn!

Posted on 3rd April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Open Gallery - March

For the second Open Gallery workshops of the year, artist Clare Hume created a multi-sensory workshop centred around our current exhibition Big Skies, an artistic exploration and celebration of Nordic skies and weather.

The group followed a trail of spotty umbrellas around Trongate 103 and settled in the Project Ability Gallery, where Clare started her story-telling.

Out of Clare’s treasure trunk came colourful fabrics, sand-filled bottles recreating the sound of the rain, a felt hat echoing the colours of some of the artwork, and even some fake snow!

The next Open Gallery workshops will take place on the 25, 26 and 29th of April and will be in response to the Glasgow Print Studios exhibition Tableau Vivant by Callum Mackenzie.

Posted on 3rd April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103 Workshops

The opening of ‘You, me and ASD’ was a great success!

We love it when a plan comes together!

Today, the 2nd April 2013 is World Autism Awareness Day and we took the opportunity to open our exhibition You, me and ASD. For the last six months Project Ability and the Autism Resource Centre have worked together to deliver visual art classes for people aged 14 plus with a diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Some people were experienced artists with a developed arts practice, for others it was a new experience. Everyone showed commitment and enthusiasm and some people have discovered a new interest which they are keen to continue.

58 artworks are displayed in the foyer at Trongate 103 created by 41 artists, many of whom turned up, bringing family and friends, for today's opening. Dr Christopher Mason the vice-chair of the National Autistic Society opened the exhibition, and representatives from Lipsync Scotland -who had delivered a programme of creative writing- brought specially commissioned poetry postcards while two of the writers read short stories.

The opening was a fantastic celebration of creativity, talent, humour and imagination.

Posted on 2nd April 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103

‘You, Me and ASD’: opening Tuesday 02 April

Join us and the Autism Resource Centre on Tuesday 02 April in the Trongate 103 Foyer for the opening of You, Me and ASD, an exhibition of works by 40 artists with Autistic Spectrum Disorder.

The artists worked over the course of two ten-week long workshops to produce beautiful work in a variety of art forms: ceramics, painting, video, drawing or block printing. The variety of the work echoes the breadth of the Spectrum, with some works being very literal and self-reflective, whilst others show the difficulties some of the artists experience in communicating with the world.

The exhibition opening coincides with World Autism Awareness Day 2013, and will take place on Tuesday 2nd April from 1pm to 2pm.

There will be a second opening on Thursday 04 April, 6pm-8pm.

Posted on 26th March 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Join us this Saturday and create your own Fancy Cards!

The theme of this month’s Friends and Family Fun Workshop is Fancy Cards. Join us this Saturday and create your own fabulously fancy cards for Easter, or any other occasion. Use collage and drawing to construct exciting imagery or make your designs jump out of the page with a fun pop-up card!

These classes provide the opportunity for young people with disabilities and their friends and families to participate in an exciting programme of visual arts activities. What's more you can take away a goody bag of ideas and materials to help you continue structured arts activities at home.

All young people must be accompanied by an adult.

Date- Saturday 23rd March 2013

Time- 11:00-12:30 and 1:30-3:00

Cost- Free

These workshops are free but booking is essential. Please contact us on 0141 552 2822 to secure your place.

Posted on 20th March 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

Duncan Gray, Himalayas- Artwork of the Week #04

This beautiful acrylic painting of 'The Himalayas' by Duncan Gray, is this week's 'Artwork of The Week', inspired by our current exhibition, Big Skies, which features more of Duncan's work.

We think you will agree that Duncan's painting depicts wonderfully the vastness of the landscape, and captures the imagination with thoughts of the sparkling white, ice capped mountains stretching up into a mass of deep, dark skies.

Duncan's newest works can be viewed in Big Skies at our gallery in Trongate103 until 20th April 2013.

The Himalayas and a few of Duncan's other pieces are also currently available to buy on Culture Label.

Posted on 8th March 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Big Skies and First Thursday!

This Thursday 7^th March 2013 is another First Thursday here at Trongate103, and the opening preview of Project Ability’s new exhibition ‘Big Skies’. Our gallery on the first floor of Trongate103 will be open from 6pm till 8pm on Thursday evening for a first look at this wonderfully eclectic show of new work.

Big Skies is a Scandinavian exchange showing works by artists from Finland, Norway and Sweden, alongside a selection of Project Ability artists. It is an artistic exploration and celebration of weather; its changeable nature, our fascination with it and its sometime mystic and sublime beauty.

Exhibiting artists are Hanne Arnheim from Amalie Skrams Hus, Norway; Buster Hollingworth, Camilla Holmquist and Jens Nilsson from Inuti, Sweden; Harri Blomberg from Kettuki, Finland; Tommy Kemp, Duncan Gray and Fletcher Stobbs from Project Ability.

Image credit: Untitled, acrylic and charcoal on canvas by Fletcher Stobbs

Posted on 5th March 2013 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Gallery Closing and Mono Exhibition

Don't forget everyone that Project Ability will close for the Christmas and New Year holidays from 4pm on Friday 21st of December 2013 and will re-open on Monday 7th January 2013. Our gallery is closed until the 19th January when we will reveal a new exhibition of work from this years resident artists. In the meantime you can see one of our young Create artists Rachel Hook's solo exhibition in Mono, until 9th January 2013.

Happy Holidays!

Posted on 20th December 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103 Workshops

First Thursday at Trongate103

Don't forget to come along to Trongate103 this Thursday between 6pm and 8pm for December's 1st Thursday. Project Ability are delighted to invite you to the opening of our new exhibition 'Picture This' in our gallery on the first floor. Picture This is a group exhibition of paintings by Project Ability artists from Aspire and Create and displays the dynamic painting environment of the workshops throughout the year.

Posted on 4th December 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Friends and Family Workshops - Thursday 2nd Aug - Mask Making

Project Ability's Summer Activities for Friends and Families have been a great success so far but don't worry if you haven't made it along yet - there is still one last chance to take part in a fantastic mask making workshop on Thursday 2nd August. There are still a few spaces left on our afternoon class from 1:30-3pm. These workshops are free but booking is essential and all young people must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact us on 0141 552 2822 to secure your place.

If you can't make Thursday's class don't worry, there will be plenty more monthly Friends and Family Fun Weekends coming up - check our website here for more information on future monthly events.

Posted on 31st July 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

We have lots of great arts activities for children and young people starting in August

Art Matters: Project Ability is pleased to offer our "older" young people an exciting new Saturday Class. In addition to our Saturday Visual Arts workshops, which will now cater only for 5-21 year olds, Project Ability are launching their new ‘Art Matters’ Saturday classes for 21-28 year olds. Art Matters starts Saturday 18th August 2012.

Current participants who are over 21 will now join this exciting new class at the slightly later and longer time of 4:30-6:30pm.

This 2 hour class will run in 8 week blocks on the same days as the Saturday Visual Arts Classes. It will provide a supported environment to meet other young people, socialise and create great artwork - whether you are interested in painting, film making, ceramics or any other visual arts.

For further informaiton please visit our programme section on the website by clicking here.

Saturday Visual Art Classes

The Saturday Visual Arts classes for children and young people aged 5-21 are back from 18th August. If you are on our mailing list you will receive your booking form through the post shortly. If you are new to the Saturday workshops and would like more information please click here.

If you are over 21 and normally attend the Create Saturday Classes you can now attend the new 'Art Matters' group.

Introduction to Film Workshops

Project Ability's ever popular Introduction to Film workshops are back in August! So if you are aged 6-12 and are interested in film making and animation why not come along to our Wednesday evening classes. More information on the workshops can be found here.

Posted on 17th July 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Film & Animation News Trongate 103 Workshops

Lachlan Mulheran & Vincent May ‘Masks’ - Artwork of the Week #14

Today is Friday the 13^th and with the day’s foreboding reputation for widespread superstition we bring you these two mysterious characters, masks made by Lachlan Mulheran and Vincent May. These two intriguing pieces, one red-purple by Vincent May and the other blue-green by Lachlan Mulheran, are made from ceramic and layers of acrylic paint to obtain their rough appearance. The masks’ ‘painted skins’ share a varied viscous surface but have their own hauntingly allusive characters achieved through a splendidly untidy reworking of paint.

Don’t miss your chance to see the masks and all the other innovative works by Create’s children and young people in the exhibition Young Talent. Continues in Project Ability's gallery, tomorrow Saturday 14 July 10-5pm.

Posted on 13th July 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103 Workshops

Volunteer Opportunities

Project Ability has new volunteer opportunities for graduate artists, to contribute to our forthcoming Autumn Workshop Programme 2012.

We are looking for an artist with skills in ceramics and an artist with skills in printmaking to support our ‘Aspire’ participants, starting the week commencing 27^th August through to the week beginning 26^th November 2012. Volunteers for these roles should be able to commit at least 2 hours per week.

We are also hoping to recruit six artists for our ‘Create’ Saturday Workshop Programme. We have two opportunities from 10 am to 12:30pm to volunteer with our youngest artists aged 5 – 12 years and two opportunities from 1pm to 4pm to support young people aged 12 - 21 years. We also have a further two opportunities to volunteer with “Art Matters” our 21 – 28 year old artists, in a new ‘studio time’ slot from 4pm – 6pm. These volunteer positions will run from Saturday 25^thAugust until Saturday 15^th December 2012.

All these positions are based at our workshop in Trongate 103. Travel expenses will be paid.

If you are interested in volunteering in one of these roles please complete the application form and return it to Tracy Gorman at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Closing date for applications is Friday 10^th of August 2012. Informal Interviews will be held the week beginning 20^th of August.

If you have any queries regarding these positions, please feel free to contact our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Tracy Gorman.

Posted on 12th July 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Recruitment & Volunteering Trongate 103 Workshops

Meet the volunteers: Edward Henry

Edward Henry has been attending Project Ability since 1994 having previously attended The Renfield Day Centre on Bath Street, where in recognising his talent for drawing and painting they recommended he come and join us.

Edward’s artwork is influenced by television, books and more recently he has been learning to use the internet at some of Projects Ability’s blog workshops, where he also finds inspiration. He likes to work with acrylic paints as it dry’s very quickly and changes can easily be made.

Edward say’s

‘I am inspired by the things I see around me and my imagination. I have been painting since I was 5 years old. I have had exhibitions in Sweden, the South of France, Ireland, Wales and all over Scotland. In 2000 I had an exhibition in Japan of my sunset paintings which are my favourite subject. Project Ability has done a lot for me over the last few years and has helped me to get my work in to lots of exhibitions.’

As well as attending Project Ability’s Aspire programme once a week, Edward also volunteers in our Gallery manning the reception desk, providing our visitors with information about our exhibitions, workshops, artists and selling goods from our shop.

‘Helping in the gallery is a good volunteering opportunity. There is lots to learn and I like meeting and helping people. I have made lots of new friends’

Posted on 3rd July 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Recruitment & Volunteering Trongate 103

Arts Awards Film Programme

Project Ability’s Create Programme is offering an exciting new opportunity for young people aged 14-25 years to participate in a film making programme with a twist! Instead of just making a film you will research an arts hero, keep a log of your progression from week to week, share your findings and new skills with others and explore new areas of film making and critiquing as an audience member. At the end of the programme your folio of research, evidence and findings will be assessed by a member of the Arts Awards Team who will be responsible for approving awards. Arts Awards is an accredited programme managed by Trinity College London.

This 18 week Programme will require a great deal of commitment and effort. Classes will run on the following dates:

14-18 years

Date: Tuesday 7th August – 11th December (excluding 16th October)

Time: 6-8:30pm

Cost: Free

18-25 years

Date: Thursday 9th August – 13th December (excluding 18th October)

Time: 6-8:30pm

Cost: Free

If you would like to book a place or chat further about Arts Awards and what to expect from the programme you can email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 0141 552 2822.

More information on Arts Awards can be found on their Website.

Posted on 27th June 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Film & Animation News Trongate 103 Workshops

‘On your Marks’

Artists Cameron Morgan, Edward Henry and Steven Reilly are in the studio for the next four Fridays working on a series of life sized paintings inspired by their love of sport.

Week 1. On your marks, get set, go! Undaunted by the task ahead, they get down to work.

We’ll keep you updated on their progress.

Posted on 15th June 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Trongate 103 Workshops

Young Talent 2012 - what a great party!

Young Talent opened with a bang last week for Trongate’s 1^st Thursday and we are just thinking back to how great a night it was; brilliant atmosphere, too many sweets, great chats, lots of compliments, proud parents, pleased artists and a host of great comments for us to look back on in the exhibition book! Highlights of the evening were the young people’s batik series on the washing line, Dylan Lawson’s Cabbage Head, Ross Agnew’s Elephant, Pauline Jackson’s Pauline & Family and too many more to mention. Thanks to all who came along to make it a brilliant night!

Posted on 12th June 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103

Meet the volunteers: Jason Pyper Davis

We have been delighted to have artist Jason Pyper Davis mentoring Connect artist, David McCracken. Jason has lent us his expertise in sculpture, working with David to share his knowledge in casting. David has spent weeks creating a clay sculpture which he was keen to cast in another material.

‘Both my parents are artists and so I grew up playing in their studios which brought about my love for art. From a very young age I was drawn to working in 3D and this lead me to study silver smithing and jewellery after leaving school. I studied this for 2 years but became increasingly frustrated by the limitations on the size of piece I could make and so I went on to study Fine Art Sculpture at the Glasgow School of Art and graduated in 1996. Since then I have been lucky enough to work full time as an artist selling paintings and sculptures and also jewellery commissions.

'I became a volunteer at Project Ability after talking to Tracy Gorman who co-ordinates the volunteer programme and who I also share a studio with. It has been a great opportunity to work with a great organisation that does great work. The atmosphere around the place is one of fun and creativity. It has been a joy to come in and volunteer, sharing my knowledge of casting with David. I would highly recommend volunteering with Project Ability and I would definitely do it again if I have the chance.’

Watch this space for images of David’s final cast!

Posted on 30th May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Recruitment & Volunteering Trongate 103 Workshops

Lennox Castle Stories: week 3

Over the last few weeks participants of the Lennox Castle Stories group have produced an astonishing amount of art work and they have generously shared some of their memories of Lennox Castle for a documentary.

The surrounding environment of Lennox Castle - the stretching hills, forests and wildlife of the Campsies - has been a huge influence on the paintings, drawings, 3 dimensional objects and animations produced. One of the animations reflected upon how the Castle was hidden away from the world behind the trees and other animations have captured very vivid personal memories.

Meal times, tea breaks and other day to day routines within the hospital are also strong themes which the ex-residents are keen to talk about and reflect upon within their art work.

It has been an honour to work with the group and see these themes develop, forming unique and poignant responses to their time in Lennox Castle.

Kate Burton film maker

Posted on 22nd May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: News Trongate 103 Workshops

‘Glasgow’ by Gerard McMenemy

Gerard McMenemy (Connect Artist) spent approximately 3 months filming, recording sound and editing, with the assistance of Ailidh MacGregor one of our volunteers here at Project Ability, and he has successfully produced a wonderfully informative and visually appealing short film about Glasgow City Centre. Having never worked with a video camera before he very much enjoyed the experience and learned a lot about camera techniques. Gerard is keen to develop his new found skills further and particularly enjoyed working in the documentary style which he used for this film, although recording the voiceover was quite nerve-wracking and he would definitely read from a script next time. Gerard already had some knowledge of the areas of Glasgow he speaks about in the film but he also did some research to make sure that all the information was accurate.

Posted on 18th May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Film & Animation News Trongate 103 Workshops

‘Art Matters’: new classes for young adults, beginning in August

Create are pleased to announce the first of our new ‘Art Matters’ classes starting in August 2012 at our Trongate 103 studios.

‘Art Matters’ is a supported group for older young people to meet, socialise and create great artwork. Young adults over 21 who are independently driven in their work can access this programme; whether you are interested in painting, film making, ceramics or any other visual arts come along to our weekly workshops and develop your creative skills and ideas.

Workshops run in blocks of eight weeks, four times a year. The first one will start on Saturday 18 August.

Cost: £5 per workshop (pay per week)
Time: 4:30-6:30pm
Age: 21yrs +

For more information, call us on 0141 552 2822 or email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

Posted on 15th May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists Film & Animation News Trongate 103 Workshops

‘Lennox Castle Stories’ - Week 2

"This week’s 'Lennox Castle Stories' workshop was again a hive of activity. The session was kicked off with a screening of the collaborative film produced during the first block of workshops in March. The film features animations using drawings made by our participants and candid video interviews of people’s first hand experiences and memories of their time in the Castle. This screening generated even more enthusiasm amongst the group, with a queue of our participants eager to share their thoughts and memories on film too! Out in the workshop space, more beautiful drawings and sculptural pieces were produced, including a clay pig and a wooden tractor! There really is no stopping this group and it is a fantastic energy to have the opportunity to work with."

- Project Ability tutor Tracy Gorman.

Posted on 14th May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Artists News Trongate 103 Workshops

Artwork of the Week ‘xoxoxoxo’ by John Beaton

Our latest Artwork of the Week is John Beaton’s xoxoxoxo, from the current exhibition The World Awaits (For More Info), showing in our gallery until 26 May. John Beaton expresses himself with a radical language of brightly coloured Xs, Os, motifs and repetitions of his own name. This spectacular triptych is a combination of his exciting style and devised through bold, asymmetrical compositions which texture the creamy background of the canvas, simultaneously characterising both primitive and classical art.

Posted on 11th May 2012 by PA Editor : permalink
Categories: Exhibitions News Trongate 103 Workshops