These workshops were delivered in collaboration with other socially engaged artists; BA students at Salford University requested art workshops on the theme of health and wellbeing. Our proposal focused on poor mental health, as this tends to be prevalent among students. Building on my concept of reworking previous artworks, we encouraged students to bring their unsuccessful or unwanted work to adapt in the session, aiming to reduce stress and perfectionism while promoting a culture of sustainability. The facilitators also brought a selection of our own previous artwork for students who did not want to destroy their own.  We designed the workshop space to include paints, thread, wire, and collage materials, each spread over different stations. This allowed students to select their preferred materials and organically split the group into smaller sections to facilitate comfortable connections. 

The facilitators demonstrated the safety of the space by speaking candidly about our own experiences of poor mental health and the ways we connect art and wellbeing. 

Student feedback following the sessions described reduced anxiety and stress, remarking on the pleasure of speaking with their peers and creating art in a low-pressure environment. In answer to the question “has your mood changed?”, one student wrote “feeling calmer and enjoyed the social time in the morning – very nice start to the day.” 

Delivering these sessions and seeing the students’ mood improve was rewarding, and reminded me of the difference that this work can make.