Being creative and having fun

24 April 2009
Joining in, being creative and having fun are the main reasons people are taking part in weekly art classes in the Mental Health Unit at Wellington Hospital, provided by Vincents Arts Workshop.

“It keeps me strong because I’m doing something I enjoy and it’s good to be with other people,” says one of the participants, aged 22.

“I haven’t painted since school but I like being creative,” says another.

Glen McDonald, Vincents Co-ordinator, says the class doesn’t focus on illness.  “The sessions are all taken by trained art tutors but the only course objectives are to be creative and have fun.”

Vincents Arts Workshop is one of more than 75 creative spaces throughout New Zealand, providing places where people can enjoy learning, sharing and creating art. Some of these creative spaces are part of community daycare programmes, hospitals or training centres.  Most, however, are community-based and operate as independent trusts.

Many are for the exclusive use of mental health service users, people with intellectual or physical disabilities, disadvantaged refugee and migrant groups, or young people. Others have an open-door policy.
Marianne Taylor, Executive Director of Arts Access Aotearoa, says that creative spaces are a recognised part of the social services scene in New Zealand.

“Arts Access Aotearoa works with a network of creative spaces from Southland through to Northland,” she says. “We’re constantly hearing positive stories that illustrate the importance of these spaces in the lives of many New Zealanders.”