We are delighted to restart our ‘Meet the Volunteer’ feature on our blog for 2023! Our volunteering programme enables professional artists, at all stages of their careers, to contribute to one of our three busy programmes; Aspire, ReConnect or Create.  Their contribution in the workshops make a big impact and offer a new energy and insight to our artists. This enhances the learning opportunities within our studios for everyone involved; participants and tutors alike.

We’d like to start the new year, and the new volunteer programme, by introducing Sandra McWilliams to you. Sandra has been volunteering within our busy Saturday Create programme and has been getting to know our young people over the past few months. Thank you Sandra!

“I graduated in July 2022 from The Glasgow School of Art with a BA in Textiles Design, specialising in Weave. I have followed Project Ability on Instagram for a long time and I have always admired the work that is produced by the artists within their workshops. I applied to volunteer in August with an interest in the weekend workshops working with children and Young Adults (Create).

The opportunity of working alongside the young artists and learning from the tutors has been great. The working environment is extremely encouraging, and the students create and produce work freely. With the artists, I have been assisting in painting, cyanotype, lino-print as well as trying out the ceramic room!

I look forward to volunteering at the classes each Saturday, it is very uplifting and helps me with my own creative thought process. I hope to provide classes in weaving in the future to help with mental health, as it’s a great way to beat stress.” – Sandra