After a break for a bit of rest and research, we found our niche and launched ourselves back into working with the humans in our community.
With feelings of physical and soical isolation, this year was a tough year for many but, it has made us grateful for all the connecting that has come about….
Our communities are growing despite the hard times and it feels like there is a sense of those communities coming together whenever and wherever they can.
We found out that there is a need for community and creative spaces for us all to make a postive contribution to our places and people.
We learnt that people grew when they were shown skills, given materials and opportunities to grow.
Humans of Weston has had the biggest pleasure in working with many community members this year and we are most definitely thankful to the organisations we connected with.
Our re-launch saw the Creating Connections project in partnership with That Creative Thingy Wotsit CIC, shine light and hosting 14 live interviews with organisations that are doing wonderful things in our town.
Weston Foodbank, Culture Weston, Theatre Orchard, Somewhere to Go, community artists, VANS, The Scrapstore, Artspace and so many more were part of the Creating Connections project.
Humans of Weston also this year began to contribute to the communtiy by hosting a live radio show in partnership with Wave Community Radio where we go live at 5 on Sundays talking with the people from the town and allow them to talk about their projects and community engagement.
During our relaunch, That Creative Thingy Wotsit CIC became wonderful partners for us humans as we learnt how to host community projects and engage our people;
TCTW CIC went on to receive funding from North Somerset Council, The DCMS and National Lottery to host creative workshops for people recovering from drug addiction.
TCTW used thier partnership with Weston-super-Rocks along with community artist bev g star to host some engaging workshops and connected with Orchard Community Housing, Sefton Park Rehab and thier service users to promote health and wellbeing through art.
Together they hosted The Creative Recovery project that ended on a high this December with a total of 6 creative art exhibits whilst connecting with clients who are recovering from substance abuse and thier community.
HOW also worked alongside the occupational therapist from Goodings Disability Service to assist creative activities for those with limited abilities whilst helping them access the Artpsace Weston.
Sessions were hosted by screen pritinter; Zara Emily and bev g star to make a creative collaboration with funding support from Weston Artspace.
The piece of work created will be on show in January 2022 as a display for the public to see.
The 21st Century Super Shrines, a 3 year project was also something we got involved with.
Celebrating national artists that are contributing to our town, Culture Weston facilated creative workshops that engaged the community and contributed to a community Super Shrine that is focusing this first year on Morag Myerscough who is coming to build a colourful bandstand in our town…
Throughout 2021, we have been with our community every step of the way, capturing these moments and sharing them with the world for all to see what happens when you incorporate creativty and positive thinking into our lives.
We love creativity and all its forms and our contribution to brightening the town of Weston with oppurtunites, street art and beautiful things has only just begun…..
Next year we predicted growth for all the humans we work with and we thank everyone for thier support.
“Art in Mind at Orchard Treasures is a rent a shelf business.
Artists can pay £5 per week to rent a craft space and artists nationwide provide their own items, without commission being taken, so anything they earn from selling is theirs.
We support local artists , craft hobbyists and have got 80 spaces for artists to exhibit their work.”
