Forfar Stroke Club displays creative printmaking work
Written by Malcolm Finlayson on 29/06/2023
A display of creative printmaking, made by members of the Forfar Stroke Club went on display on Tuesday, 27 June at Forfar Fire Station.
The bright and varied collection of prints, displayed in the meeting room at Forfar Fire Station, was produced as part of the ST/ART arts project.
ST/ART is an arts project for stroke and acquired brain injury participants across Tayside. This popular project is run by Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT), in association with NHS Tayside and community partners and contributes to the participants health and wellbeing.
These printmaking sessions are part of the larger creative engagement projects for people with long-term conditions currently being delivered by THAT.
During the eight-session programme, lead artist Suzie Scott encouraged participants to experiment with two different printmaking techniques, gelli-plate and drypoint printing. Each had its own distinctive character and provided very different expressive result.
Both were also unusual and new to the group. Everyone was surprised to be inking up blocks of jelly-like rubber and impressing plants and leaves into the ink on the one hand, and then using a pasta maker as a printing press on the other!
Suzie said, “Working with printmaking is such a great process. Making marks with different materials and inks can transform simple techniques into impressive unique results. With the right level of support, everyone can enjoy the making process regardless of the outcomes of their stroke.
“The group quickly got the hang of using the gelli-plates, handling ink and rollers and making marks and then they progressed to working with the more sophisticated drypoint process. All the group members were also able to try the chine colle technique where additional patterned and coloured paper elements could be added in to the work during the printing process. Everyone was a bit unsure to begin with, but they quickly learned that anything goes. Their confidence grew each week and they produced some wonderful work.”
Forfar Stroke Group coordinator, Linda Reid said, “It’s been great to have the ST/ART Project back here at the Fire Station. We’ve been holding regular meetings and working with Chris and the ST/ART Project again is great. A lot of our new members have been amazed that we have access to this service and they have really enjoyed themselves. Suzie has done so well guiding and supporting us each week and helping everyone to achieve so much.”
THAT projects co-ordinator Chris Kelly said, “It’s great to be back working with the Forfar group and to see that they have some new members. Suzie has done a tremendous job with the group and with the help of the club’s own volunteers, we were able to support everyone and help them, produce fabulous work.
“We have worked with the Forfar Stroke Club for a number of years and seen the membership grow and change over time. It’s marvellous that the club continues to provide this support in the Forfar area and that we can bring this important creative element to their programming. People clearly benefit from their engagement.”
THAT was set up in 2002 and promotes creative engagement, using a variety of different art forms, as a means of improving the health and well being of participants with a range of long term conditions.
For further information please contact Chris Kelly on 01382 835507 or by emailing chris.kelly2@nhs.scot
