News

We showcased some of the creative highlights of 2017’s programmes and told stories about
the life-changing effects of our work as part of a packed celebration event last week.

Wasps Artists’ Studios on Hanson Street in Glasgow was the venue as we launched our new Annual Report for 16/17, while very talented young people from our Cashback to the Future programme treated the audience to some stunning, emotional live performances.

This was the second time Impact Arts have held an annual celebration, and it was
a fantastic opportunity to share with funders and partners the standout
creative work from our programmes for children, young people, older people and
wider communities.

Wasps – a studio space steeped in creativity and a resource much-valued by Glasgow artist community – was a particularly appropriate venue given the quality and diversity of work on show.

From our older people’s programmes we exhibited animal sculptures
hand-crafted with artificial flowers, colourful and imaginative sketchbooks produced
as part of intergenerational work with young children, and a remarkable aerial painting of Govan
by Craft Café members who live there.

From our Young Gallery programme for children were neon photo-portraits and collages produced as part of Art Therapy classes, while young
people from across Scotland contributed environmentally-themed collages, intricate
colour-splashed canvas murals, and beautifully-upcycled wooden furniture.

Also on display were lovingly-made furnishings from Make it
Your Own, our Paisley-based creative tenancy sustainability project, along with
before-and-after shots showing exactly what participants had accomplished while
making items for their new homes.

Following the official unveiling of our new Annual Report,
it was time for performances by young people who had taken part in our Cashback
to the Future summer programme. The audience were treated to The Dance
of the Fisherman’s Wife by Octavio dos Santos and Farheen Akhtar, a moving interpretive
dance that had wowed audiences at our Cashback Glasgow showcase in August.

The event closed with a brilliantly-played pair of songs by
singer and ukuleleist Niamh Stewart, one
of the stars of our Cashback Ayrshire showcase earlier in the year.

We hope the event succeeded in giving an expansive view of
the sheer range of issues Impact Arts harnesses creativity to address –
including isolation in older people, youth unemployment, and environmental issues.

Our AGM was also held before the event. There were heartfelt
thanks from our outgoing Chair Tony McElroy – who had reached the end of his
tenure. Appreciation was shown for all Tony has contributed during his six years on the Board.

We were also delighted to welcome on board Theresa Shearer, CEO of
Enable Scotland, as the new Chair of Impact Arts. Joining Theresa as Vice-Chair is Ken Neil, Deputy Director
(Academic) at Glasgow School of Art, while Marion Allison, Director of the CLD
Standards Council for Scotland also joins the Board.