Skelmersdale Art Network – to celebrate and develop art in Skelmersdale

During 2019, a successful art exhibition was held in the Artz Centre in Skelmersdale. This brought together seven artists who displayed their work for all to see. Encouraged by the response they had from those who viewed the work, it became clear that there were people who had  been experimenting with painting and drawing who would benefit being linked up in some sort of network to support their creativity. 

Thanks to some ‘seed funding’ from Well Skelmersdale, an opportunity was created for people to be part of a growing number of locals who love art.

There are plans within the network to start face-to-face workshops when allowed, but for now there are online art sessions available where people can meet and share their work. There is much talent out there to be admired and the network aims to be a place of encouragement where everyone feels comfortable ‘having a go’.

Here is a quote from members of the steering group:

“Making space to be creative is an incredibly important part of my day. Whether that be doodling on notes in the break of a meeting or creating a full-blown image. I tend to use my iPad and Apple Pencil, along with an app called ‘procreate’, which allows me to use a range of digital forms from oil paint to ink and pencil to chalk. When I am creating in this way my mind is at rest, I find myself in the flow of the activity and away from the chatter of my mind. I also find that although I’m often alone when I’m creating, in a way, I feel a heightened sense of connection knowing that the themes arising in my work are not relevant to me alone.“

Anothermembersaid, “Being creative begins to unlock the lockdown”

If you would like to know more, find out when the session take place, or to get involved, please email cerys@wlcvs.org

On Facebook – cerysskem/skelmersdale art network

Instagram – skelmersdale_art_network

www.wlcvs.org

These are just two spectacular artists from the steering group who kindly agreed to share their work in the hope it will encourage other people to get involved by joining the network. 

This stunning image was created by UClan student, Nourhan.

This fabulous piece of art was created by retired headteacher, Lawrence. 

Lawrence said:

“It’s good to be part of a town wide creative network, open to all. It’s not a club, which suggests more of a closed group, but rather a connecting point for people that have an interest in art.

I see the network as a seed that will grow as more people hear about it and respond accordingly. From a personal point of view, the key advantage is the opportunity to share ideas which the network is beginning to provide.

My painting was a small, but strategic response to the lockdown measures that we have all been under. The title of the painting is ‘The Embrace’, which symbolizes the ‘basic’ need in all humans to physically and socially connect with each other. I wanted to express this need in an artistic form, which those who view it, could relate to, even though government restrictions meant that the reality of embracing another human was being denied us.”