News

42 days until CashBack to the Future kicks off in Ayrshire, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Renfrewshire – offering 12-19 year olds the chance to work over four weeks this July with an amazing creative team of artists, musicians and performers!

We’re putting the spotlight on our artist team, and we’re delighted to confirm the first of our creative team. Gemma Mannion is a visual artist whose work has a strong focus on education and socially engaged practice. Her previous arts education roles include Tramway Visual Arts Studio, Glasgow Museums, House for an Art Lover and Wasps.

Gemma studied Time-Based Art at Duncan of Jordanstone, where she specialised in video installation. She then embarked on a Master of Arts in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, specialising in education and public programming at Newcastle University. She has also recently qualified as a secondary Art and Design teacher.

She speaks here to the Impact Arts blog about what young people can expect from her workshops, and how the team will work to help young people realise their creative potential. Find out more and sign up here!

Are you looking forward to the project?

I am incredibly excited to be part of the Cashback to the Future
programme and to work with the participants to create original artworks they
can be proud of. I never know what to expect when working with young people – they will have ideas which could take their work in so many different directions.
I am excited to see where the project goes!

What can young people expect from your workshops?

Participants can expect a supportive and creative environment
where their ideas can be explored through a variety of different artistic
practices.

What techniques will you be looking to pass on to the group?

I will introduce the participants to different expressive
techniques such as drawing, painting, printmaking and installation. There will
be room to explore how these techniques can be used and combined to create
interesting artworks. All participants will have created something they can be
proud of by the end of the programme!

How would you encourage young
people to get involved?

No previous experience is required, just a willingness to
explore, experiment and create! There will be something for everyone!

Cashback to the Future is funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative, which backs projects supporting disadvantaged young people. Additional funding and support comes from National Museums Scotland, the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Glasgow Kelvin College.