In today’s Meet the Volunteers, we are delighted to introduce you to the amazing Merel Bekking, who has been a brilliant addition to our Aspire workshops on Tuesdays.
Are you a graduate or undergraduate artist? Can you tell us what course you are on, or a little about your art practice?
I graduated in 2011 from the Utrecht School of the Arts in The Netherlands. Since then I have my own design studio. I make all sorts of user items, from candle holders to bigger research projects. I sometimes work on commission but mostly on my own initiative.
In what workshop did you volunteer?
I volunteered with the Aspire group.
Why did you apply to volunteer at Project Ability?
When I moved to Glasgow in the beginning of the year I was looking for a way to get to know and work creatively with local people. I worked with a social design label before in the Netherlands and I really came to understand how valuable it is to work creatively with people and artists with all sorts of backgrounds. To be together and share through making is very inspiring. That is why I wanted to volunteer and work with the artists at Project Ability.
Did your experience live up to your expectations?
Absolutely! Even better than I would have hoped for. Both the tutors and the artists are very welcoming, and I felt included in the group very quickly. And to be honest, I think I learned more from the artists than they did from me! Together we explored new techniques I’d never worked with before, new ideas and had a lot of fun doing so.
What have you learned from your experience with us?
I’ve learned that everyone is an expert in making their own art and expressing themselves creatively. Everybody’s work, all ideas and all people are all equally great and everyone has their own style and own drive to create. Its fantastic! Besides that, a nice bonus is that volunteering also introduced me to new techniques and new ideas about creating. It helped me be more open and experimental in my own practice.
Do you have a favourite Project Ability artist or art work that has stood out for you?
It is hard to choose between all the beautiful work that was created while I was there. Everybody has their own style. From circular and repetitive paintings to beautiful paintings of the queen’s carriage, amazing decorated bowls and vases. And I really enjoyed chatting with Peter, who is always happy and together we learned new techniques and had great fun doing so.
Would you recommend others to volunteer with us?
Of course! It is absolute great fun to hang out at Project Ability, help out and chat about works that are being created and getting to know great people.
Any other comments?
Thanks for these great weeks!
Thanks Merel! We are currently recruiting new volunteers for 2019 – deadline for applications: 06 January 2019.
