Disabled youngsters across Glasgow are unleashing their artistic talents thanks to a fresh supply of top-notch art materials for their weekend creative sessions.
Based in the heart of Glasgow at the Trongate 103 arts centre, Project Ability has been nurturing the artistic growth of disabled people and those with experiences of mental ill-health, encouraging them to express their creativity. Their Saturday Visual Art Classes are a safe, welcoming space where 24 young people aged 8 to 25 get stuck into everything from painting and ceramics to printmaking and sculpture.
Running for 32 weeks during the school year these sessions don’t just build artistic skills, they boost confidence, forge friendships, and give families valuable shared experiences with members’ siblings joining the creative fun.
The creative journey ends each year when the young artists showcase their work in the Young Talent exhibition at Project Ability’s public gallery.
Responding to the charity’s need for a supply of high-quality visual arts materials, the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust has stepped in with a £2,000 donation to stock up these creative workshops with professional-grade art supplies for their 96 sessions throughout the year.
Lisa Clark, the Create Programme Manager at Project Ability, explained how the Trust’s donation will impact the project, saying, “This generous support from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust will provide disabled children and young people accessing our Saturday Visual Art Programme with a year’s supply of high-quality art materials. Our workshops upskill, improve confidence and wellbeing and provide valuable social opportunities for disabled children and young people to come together and make great artwork. A heartfelt thank you from everyone at Project Ability for supporting our sessions!”
David Facenna, Corporate Culture Director at Allied Vehicles, said, “Project Ability helps young disabled artists express themselves and build lasting friendships, making a real difference to their lives and accouraging creativity. We’re delighted to support their Saturday classes and look forward to seeing the wonderful artwork these young people will produce.”
With fresh supplies in hand, Glasgow’s young disabled artists are ready to colour, shape and create their way to a more confident future.
