In 1999 An Lanntair began working in partnership with the Ardseileach Centre, a day care facility in Stornoway for adults with learning disabilities.
In the first year of the Ardseileach Art Project, 4 men participated in weekly arts sessions with Visual Arts Education Officer Elsie Mitchell, and local artists Ann McPhail, Simon Rivett and Ann Graham.
A variety of media were explored: Painting in acrylics, handmade paper, silk painting and appliqué, fabric painting, photo-collage, 35mm photography, cyanotype prints, creating a sensory installation using slides and music, ceramic and glass painting, building sculptures from found materials, plaster and paint. Both the long term nature and the multi-media aspect of the project allowed each individual to discover the art form which interested them. Success in one area led to self-confidence when approaching the next new challenge. All four participants faced difficulties communicating and expressing themselves through verbal and written words. The arts activity offered an alternative means to give expression to their thoughts and feelings.
The men’s work was shown at An Lanntair in "One thing’s for sure - the cameras were fun!" October/November 2000. It proved to be one of the most popular exhibitions in the gallery’s annual programme. Their sensory slide installation was open to the public and displayed at the Ardseileach Day Care Centre for 2 days in August 2000. Much of the excellent work produced remains on permanent display at the Ardseileach Centre and the Grianan Centre in Stornoway.
The men were able to further progress their artistic skills through a programme of 34 x 2 hour sessions led by local artists Ann McPhail and Christine Campbell, throughout 2001 - 2002. They drew inspiration from regular visits to exhibitions at An Lanntair and made field trips to beaches, the Callinish Stones, woodland and urban areas to take photographs and gather materials. Their ideas were developed back at the Ardseileach Centre through a more intensive exploration of mixed media drawing and painting. They also experimented with painting to music, silk papermaking and pinhole photography.
Due to the success of the project and subsequent demand for ongoing arts activity The Ardseileach Centre has now established its own regular programme of art workshops led by local artists.
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