Hidden Talents on Display

An Art Therapy group who meet on a weekly basis at Canterbury College held an exhibition of their work at the Neville Pundole Gallery in Folkestone.

The ‘Hidden Talents’ exhibition was deemed a great success by all involved and many of the pieces were sold as a result. Art Psychotherapist Joyce Armstrong explained, ‘This is a pioneering project which not only fulfils the College’s equality and diversity programme by offering us studio space one day a week for our mental health service users and college students but also meets Government criteria in that it is a project of social inclusion held in a venue outside of statutory arenas such as hospitals or clinics. Being able to extend the project in holding an exhibition in a public gallery also gave great credence to the work the artists produced.’ 

The Art Therapy group is a joint venture between KMPT’s Psychological Services and the College, has approximately 13 regular participants and has amassed an impressive amount of work since its inception and the standard of work achieved is remarkable. Mark Howland, Section Manager Art & Design at Canterbury College who curated the exhibition said: ‘We are the only college in the country working on this kind of programme and offering these opportunities and are thrilled to be involved. The project not only allows people to enter a totally unique environment to explore art, therapy and education, but it also helps us showcase to our students what careers are available in today’s art world.’

Gallery owner Neville Pundole was delighted to offer space at his gallery for the exhibition and commented that it brought to fruition a partnership between the education sector, health sector and private sector which was always to be welcomed
and championed. Many of the artists wrote personal statements which were moving accounts of how the group enabled them to express their feelings and be part of the community. Group member David Lines wrote in his statement that ‘Art has always been a great interest to me and that is what has led me to be a part of the group.

Many years ago I studied for a HND in Fine Art and after successfully completing that I enrolled for a fine art degree. Halfway through this I was suffering from severe depression and unfortunately I could not complete the course. Then last year I was offered the chance to do some art therapy and I found this very rewarding, and it sparked off my interest in creating art again… The group has offered me the chance to create art in a non-pressured atmosphere and also to be with people again.’

Spurred on by the success of this exhibition, Joyce’s next aim is to find sponsorship for framing and a Canterbury venue for the next show and would welcome any offers of help. Joyce also wants to promote a wider use of the service by building up a body of work and/or accepting commissions from anyone in the Trust that needs art work. This could, for example, follow the redecoration of an office or to simply liven up a corridor so if you want to ditch the posters and have some original artwork on your walls contact Joyce by email at joyce.armstrong@kmpt.nhs.uk