ndis and working in the art studio

If you ndis goal is to sell your artwork, then you will need to produce artwork to sell. The product of art occurs in the studio, as I create artwork anywhere. well maybe it's where my art supplies and equipment are stored.  I work in what is called a home studio. However other artists don't want to work at home or do not have the spare to have a studio.  For example a print maker, may need to rent studio space that has a printing press. 

There are a number of community and small commercial studio where artists rent space.  Some artists will utilized old industrial buildings or you may choose to work in a open studio.  An open studio is where a number of artist share one venue and split the rent.  The studio is 'opened' because members of the public can come and watch artists at work and ask questions.  If you are about to leave school this may consider visiting a art studio.

The other type of studio is 'a supported studio', these are dedicated support services that support artists with disability to produce, market and sell their artwork.  Just like any other support service, you can use your ndis funding to attend a supported studio.  However, there are only two supported art studios in South East Queensland, the Brisbane Outsiders Studio run by Access Arts Queensland and Arts From The Margins run by Wesley Mission. 

Entry for the Outsiders Studio is very competitive and artists need a strong professional portfolios to apply.  The option is a Disability Support Service that has an art program.  In the Ipswich region I know both the cpl and ALARA Queensland have great art programs to support people to produce their own art. 

If you need support in the production of you artwork and you want to gain more skills these might make good stepping stones to gain entry into a supported or open studios.  This is one way to achieve this goal. Another is to have a support worker who supports you to create art in your home studio.  This is what I have chosen to do. 

My current ndis goal is to have a solo exhibition in the Brisbane area. For the last 12 months I have been working with a small commercial gallery called Aspire Gallery.  As a member of the Gallery I exhibit in their group exhibitions and have a mentoring services where my mentor guide my art direction.  I have been trying to perfect my printmaking skills this year and have sold a number of my prints at the gallery. 

I also work closely with the owner of Drawing Point Gallery.  I have had an annual solo exhibition for the last two years and participate in their group exhibitions.  I am also regularly entering art competitions. 

I self-manage and self-direct my own ndis plan.  This enables me to engage my own team of support workers to support me in my home with daily living tasks; like getting ready for work; house cleaning, meal prep and assisting me in my art studio.  When I was advertising for my team, I was clear I was an artist and wanted support to achieve my ndis goal to expand my art practise.

So in terms of my art practise my team assist me in the studio to set-up and clean up, Help put work together for competitions, delivery and collect artwork, pick up art supplies, type gallery and funding submissions and attend art related functions. 

The ndis offers people with disabilities more choices than ever before, not just (the service provider they select), but how the want their ndis plan to be managed.  There are three basic options:

1. The ndis will manage your plan for you;
2. You can choose a host fund provider to manage your plan; or
3. You can self-manage. 

The way you manage choices two and three can vary significantly and how you chose to have your plan manage will impact on some of the choices to can make. 

I self-manage my plan with the assistance of a plan manager.  This allows me the flexibility to engage my own support team and use genetic services, that means a business does not need to be a ndis registered provider. 

The ndis may also provide assisted technology to run your art studio and modification to a studio where you work.  For example the may be able to install a ramp and accessible toilet, (Conditions do apply). 

Things to remember the ndis will only assist with costs associated with your disability.  The do not pay for art supplies or general art tools, training or education as these are costs all artist incur in developing their art practise. 

Before deciding your ndis goals and how to achieve them, my next blog post is about, the business of making art. 

Opportunities in the Arts and the ndis

Exploring Opportunities

As an established professional artist you will either be self-employed or working for someone in the visual arts field. 

If you choose to work for someone else they will want to see samples of your artwork and your CV. As a school leaver the school should be helping you put this together. If not you might want to ask the ndis if you can access a job support network. They can also assist you to gain training and experience to enhance your chances of finding work.  Your job support person was also work with your employer and the ndis to make modifications to the work place.  This will involve an occupational therapist (OT) assessment. 

Most artists fall into the categories of amateur/hobbyist, beginner, emerging or established artist. If you intend to work as an artist these will be the stages of your career.  As you gain experience you will pass through each stage.  There is an invisible line between each stage and different art organisations will define each stage differently. 

Amateur/Hobbyist - This person enjoys producing art, but doesn't intend it to be an income source.  However, they may choose to enter art competitions and exhibit their work, but they certainly would not think of creating artwork as a job.  Some people may move from art being a hobby to an emerging artist at some point in the future.  At some stage an amateur may choose to gain new skills, through doing an art workshop, course or study.

As a school leaver developing your art skills may interest you.  It is a good idea to talk to you art teacher so they can support you to apply for a course.  It is likely you will need to present a portfolio and have an interview. 

Other post school options may include:-

• Joining a local art group
• Community art classes
• Art workshops
• Disability Support Service with an art program
• Disability Support Service art group or art based activities. (Before signing a service agreement ensure the activity will meet your expectations.)

As a school leaver it is likely your post school ndis goals will embrace other areas of your life. You might want to become more independent, travel independently in the community and gain life skills.  Next year developing a community network and friendship support may be more important.  

These are all things you need to consider when you talk to your planner or LAC.  The ndis needs to consider every aspect of your life and support needs.  So learning new art skills may not happen straight away and you might find a disability support provider who can assist you in helping you with your other goals and has an art group and/or art program.

Your disability may mean that you do not need to access a disability support provider, but you may just need a job coach, some therapy and equipment.  The ndis pathway is different for everyone. 

It is important to note that most artists do not have any formal training.  You do not need to study art to work as a professional artist and most artists are professionals in other areas like my accountant.

Lets look into the future. What opportunities are there for an artist? 

A professional artist will emerge onto the art scene. They may begin by entering art competitions, joining an art group or enjoy going to art workshops on the weekends.  

Through art competitions they may start selling their artwork.  You do not need to set up a business to sell your work, you can sell it through competitions or even markets.  The choice to formally establish a business will be based on your income.

Depending on the type of art you create, 'art & craft' markets are another opportunity to sell your work.  This may not be the best place to sell traditional or abstract wall art. Markets are more likely to suit handcrafts, printmaking, screen printing or pottery.  We will look at where to sell your art and business planning in a later post. 

Working with Galleries

If you have visited an art gallery (such as GOMA) you will have seen different exhibitions on display. The artwork may or may not have been for sale. If the work was not for sale that artwork was most likely owned by the gallery or on loan.  This is known as a 'gallery collection' or it may be a touring exhibition on loan from another gallery or the Australian Art Bank

The Australian Art Bank buys art from collectors and artists or their representatives, to rent to galleries across Australia.  You need to be a well established artist before the art bank might consider looking at your work.  Having work acquired by the Australian Art Bank or any gallery is a goal for well established artists. 

There are two types of galleries that emerging artists will work with. (1) Community Gallery and (2) Small independent commercial galleries.

Community galleries are owned by the local council and belong to the local community.  Typically, local artists and art groups will exhibit in these.  Anyone can apply to exhibit.  Each gallery has their own application process. Information on these applications can generally be found on the galleries website.

Commercial galleries are small independent galleries which are privately owned. Again their is usually a gallery application involved.  All galleries charge a hire fee and a commission on your sale price.

So, with all this information it is time to consider what your visual art practice may look like and when it may be considered a business. My next post will explore what your art studio might look like and the types of support the ndis might consider for your work in the studio.

Planning Art Direction and ndis

So you want to be an artist?

When we use the word 'artist' we are referring to writers, poets, actors, signers, performers, and visual artists. For the purpose of this post we will be talking about visual arts, but the principles can be applied to any of the artforms. 

Before we go to far I should warn you, that you are not choosing a easy path and few people take artist seriously.  In fact most artists have day jobs to pay the rent and buy food and the most important thing - to buy art supplies.  Artists are known as dreamers, but I perfer to refer to us as the critical thinkers of society. 

This is the first blog post is a series I am writing specfially for school leavers with a disability who may be eligable for support from the ndis. You can access the ndis if you have a signifcant disability that impacts you daily living.  This might mean you need help with showering, feeding, reading and writing, transport, budgeting, communication or equiptment that enables you to be independent.  In the past school leavers with disabilities have been referred to service providers to provide their supports. The National Disability Insurance Scheme now allows you with the assistance of family members to choose the supports you want to access.

Your ndis plan will be based on:

• The goals you choose (things you want to do)
• How you want to achieve those goals
• The types of supports you need to achieve your goals.

So when you talk to the ndis, support services, protential feilds of study or a job support agency you want to be as clear as possible about your goals and how you intend to achieve them.  As an artist your not going to be looking for a support program you can slot into, your going to need to create a support service structure that enables you to reach your goals. Since your reading this post I am assuming you:

• Want to create art
• Want to show your art to other people
• May want to sell your art
• May want to work with other artists
• May want to study and train as an artist next year.

These are the activities you want to make clear to your Local Area Coordinator and anyone you ask to be part of your support network. So a ndis goal to be an artist; to sell art; or to make art will not be enough to ensure you are supported in the way you want.  Remember to society artists are the dreamers. 

So what is art and what does an artist do?

This is the first way you can get tripped up! Whether that be with your parents, ndia or people who support you.  Art is many different things. What is art to you, may not be art to me.

For example is this work craft or is it a piece of art and what is its purpose? As you plan for the ndis to support you after school, whether you are producing craftwork or artwork will not matter. What does matter is your intention of what will happen with the finish product.  People chose to engage in arts n crafts for different reasons.  So in your ndis goals you want to be clear on what your reason is. Otherwise you might find yourself sitting in a arts n craft group run by a support provide for 2 to 3 hours a week.

If your goal is to sell your work, then it is going to take you along time to make enough work to sell or exhibit.  Their are things you can do in the meantime and we will look at those in the next post. 

One way to explain to someone what you want to do is to show them a photo. If you have been making art at school you might be able to show that to your planner.

This is the type of art I produce

They still will not understand the process it takes to produce your work so you will need to outline what your day will look like. The ndis talks about accessing pathways. So what we want to look at over the next few weeks is how to map your personal pathway so you can be supported to achieve you goals, you way.

My Art, My Way!

So lets get real! You not going to leave school in December and be hosting your first exhibition in June 2019. Exhibiting your artwork in commerical galleries is one of the many ways to sell you work. However not every artist wants to sell their work and not every artist wants to be self-employed.  You might want to be a graphic artists or a photographer and work for a maginize. This begins to show you how specfice you want to be about your art goal.

So some of the questions you will need to answer are:

1. Why do I want to be involved in art?
2. What do I want the outcome to be?
3. How do I want to engage in art and with other artist?
4. What are the steps in my pathways?
5. What assistance will I need from the ndis?

Every artist reading this post will answer these questions differently and the answers will determine both their life pathways and their ndis pathways.  Being clear about your art; your art pathways and how you want to achieve your goals will make it easier to write your plan with your planner.

Be Professional

A professional is someone who makes money or draws a wage using their talents. skills, knowledge and experience.  As an artists you might sell your own artwork or work for someone else in the production of artwork.

Being a school leaver you might have some talent and skills, but you will not have any experience to work as an artist. You might consider if one of your pathways with be education at art school or university; training with another artist (mentoring) or working in a group art studio where you can learn from other artist.

There are different types of studios you can 'work in', most artists work in their home studios, but it your just getting started you might benifit from being part of a studio.  In Brisbane their are two studios that specifically support artist with diabilities. You will need to apply to join these studios in the same way you  applied to study at university. 

Another influence of the type of studio you need to access is the type of work you will be producing.  If you're drawing and painting then working in a home art studio works well, however if your a siliver smith, potter or sculpturer then you will need a specialised studio with specialised equiptment. 

If the things I have talk about in the post are new to you or you thought art was just about painting, you might want to have a chat to your parents and art teacher about your ndis pathways. In the next post we will look at opportunities for trained artists.

School Leavers and the ndis

Finding Pathways

Chances are if you or a family member are finishing school this year and live in the Ipswich region, you have already connected with your ndis Local Area Coordinator.  If you haven't or you are not part of the ndis scheme and have a disability then you can call the Ipswich Area Office.  In previous years students needs were assessed and they were referred to a disability support provider based on that assessment.  However assessments don't tell the whole story.

This is your life and you should be able to choose the activities you want to do and the friends you want to hang out with.  You need to think about using your ndis plan to place yourself or your child in the best position to achieve your ndis goals.  Through the ndis you can now choose the support service, therapy and equipment providers you will access. 

In selecting providers you will want to select a service that best suits your goals and your family needs.  There is no point going to a provider that only offers life skills and art and crafts if you want to enjoy the great outdoors and go on camping trips. 

If your plan is to look for work when you leave school, then you may not need a disability support provider, you might want to sign up with a supported employment service.  Or like some of your friends you might be off to do a training course, apprenticeship or uni.  People with disabilities are no longer locked into traditional post school pathways. 

If you want you can create your own pathway, self manage, or practically self manage your plan and engage your own support staff.  As a professional artist I have found this works for me.  Research tells us the more thought you put into your plan, the better satisfied you are with the outcomes. 

So how do you know what's available or what support services are out there?  Well, most young people these days use Google.  However Google can not give you the live experience or a human perspective.  Service providers are great at making their services look cool.  They might be really cool but not offer the activities you really, really want to do.  Ndis should mean like everyone else you get to do the things you really want to do.  

The key to being able to enjoy life and doing the things you love are being able to tell your LAC what you want and then having a 'wish list' when you talk to support providers. 

So what if you could talk to providers all on the same day and ask them the same questions. Well if you live in Ipswich then you can do just that at the Ipswich Fresh Futures Market on Wednesday 5th September 9 am to 1 pm.  

So take the future into your own hands and start finding what is out there. 

When Our Vocies Are Heard Through Art

Yesterday 'Having Your Voice' art exhibition opened at the Ipswich Community Gallery. During the week I asked the community to come and see our exhibition with an open mind. So they came.  We were so very well supported by the community. Our collective art exhibition screamed ability.  Together our voices told our stories and our stories told why we want to be included. 

The exhibition was hosted by Arts Connect Ips. Inc. a mainstream group of artists who actively support individual artists and the arts community as a whole.  The exhibition was inspired by Glen Smith the President of Arts Connect after seeing an exhibition organised by Access Arts (Qld). In a little under 12 months, Glen inspired the Ipswich Community to get on board.  I counted at least 5 different art groups who were involved and it was wonderful to meet the artists and family members and for them to experience this high level of community support for this extraordinary display of skills and talent. 

Each wall spoke of the ability of the artists involved.  The conversations were about ability, the artists stories and art.  Very little was uttered about the challenges we as artists with disabilities face, until Chris showed up.

Chris' performance described the challenges and the fears that every visual artist, writer and performer faces.  We artists with disabilities are no different, only we have a few additional barriers, but yesterday we all managed to shine.

Through the National Disability Insurance Scheme or the ndis, these artists should be supported to engage in the creation of their work.  Yesterday was a perfect example of the community participation the ndis was designed to foster.  The community embraced us and we embraced them. 

Many have asked why we need the ndis? Having your Voice Exhibition is why. For too long in our society people with disabilities have not had a voice. Thanks to Arts Connect people who face challenges have our collective voice and inclusion in the arts is happening.

I am aware that we in Ipswich and Arts Connect have not yet won the fight, but we certainly took a giant leap forward. 

I look forward to watching the development of the artists in the years to come. 

In closing I thank the people of Ipswich for their support. 

When Art Speaks

Those who regularly read my blog know I have two passions in life. One is art and the other is being a voice for people with disabilities.  For the last 5 years I have actively been engaging the Ipswich Community in a conversation around art and social inclusion.  Many people with disabilities do not feel they have a voice. That is why I find 'To GOMA' a powerful work of art.  For those who don't live in South-East Queensland, G.O.M.A. is Gallery of Modern Art.  In terms of representation few artists with disabilities have works held by the Australian Art Bank. Galleries across Australia rent collections of artworks for display. This is the ultimate aim for professional artists working in Australia. 

Today was an opportunity for some artists to start this journey. Arts Connect Inc is currently hosting an art exhibition 'Hearing Your Voice' at the Ipswich Community Gallery, a gallery where several predominately local artists began - Deb Mostert and Donna Davis are two that come to my mind.  Hearing Your Voice is the first exhibition for artists with disabilities to be hosted in Ipswich by an organisation not belonging to the disability sector in Ipswich. 

This group exhibition is a mixture of professional artists, emerging artists, hobbyists and school students.  The organising committee has spent the last 12 months, feeling out the local artists and working with disability support providers to bring to you this high quality body of work. 

Some works are a result of collaborative processes and others are by artists already known in the community.  A professional artist is someone who is active in the creation of artwork and the arts community. 

Many are exhibiting their work for the first time and most art and craft pieces are for sale.  Together this group of artists have banded together thanks to Arts Connect to showcase their work and have a collective voice. 

"Here we are and here we belong!"

Whether an artist has a physical, sensory, intellectual or emotional impairment this exhibition proves the only thing that is relevant to their artistic endeavours is the talent and skills they currently have on exhibit. 

The artwork in this exhibition does speak for itself and I am sure for each of us the message is very different.  I really encourage anyone who has some spare time this weekend to take the opportunity to see how each of the artists has presented their voice in the exhibition.  The exhibition is open to the public this Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.

Judith Baker, artist who has worked in the Ipswich and Lockyer Regions for 30 years assures us, 'Once my art is hung on a gallery wall, my disability becomes invisible.'

Please come and let our art speak to you!

Art With A Voice

The process of creating any artwork, or piece of craft for that matter can be a therapeutic process. Creating something artistic produces a sense of accomplishment and something its creator can be proud of. This is true whether the creator is a beginner or an accomplished artist. However this is not art therapy. The term 'Art Therapy' has been popularised by adult-colouring books.  A better term for this type of art is 'art for well-being'.

Simply through an artistic process a person may experience feelings of peacefulness, enjoyment and satisfaction. However if the person is a professional artist with a major exhibition next week, the process of creating that piece of artwork may not be so enjoyable. People take part in the process of creating art for a variety of reasons. If you ask 100 people why they chose to partake in art based activities you might get 100 different responses or you may get one. If you ask 100 professional artists they will tell you they create to sell. A professional seeks to make money from the skills they have acquired through training, even if they are self-taught they are skilled in the process of creating art.

Someone from an indigenous culture might explain their art as a connection with the spiritual relationship with 'their country' or tribal land. Formal art therapy may not produce a work of art and the person undergoing art therapy is not an artist. Legally art produced during a therapy session can not be shown to others and thus unlikely to be seen in an art exhibition.

However artists often talk about finding their artistic voice. There has long being a debate over what is art? What is craft? And what is the process of simply painting? Does it really matter anyway? The short answer is 'no'. 

This is a doll I created at art school. At art school we were required to create 'art'.  The face of the doll is art, the rest is very close to being 'craft', my tutor informed me.  We can debate all day where the line is between art and craft. Here in this post I am referring to art as being a creation by a person to evoke feelings, emotions or thought. I argue some types of craft can do that.

So a professional artist creates work to evoke a reaction from their audience.  Hopefully enough emotion for a person to buy it.  This is what gives artists their voice.  It is not something that is produced from a point of feelings of well being. Generally the work and professionalism of the visual artist is not well understood.  Few of us can sell enough too put food on the table and an additional income affords our ability to create art. 

The piece of artwork at the top of this post was created by an artist that works in a supported art studio, even though his work appears in exhibitions and sells, because he does not receive any payment, his skills and abilities are not valued.  Like me the artist has cerebral palsy, unlike me he has no rights to his work. 

The general community see art produced by artists with a disability as a pastime, an activity they do at an activity centre to fill in their day, giving their work no value.  Yet because I am an autonomous artist I can set my own price and my work sells. I am well respect ed in the art community and so is my work. And  now I can claim I am award winning. So my art has a voice - some pieces more that others.

I am proud of my work, not because it is therapeutic or because I am able to work as an artist despite my disability.  I know when the work I produce is not up to standard and I know when I achieve something magical.  I do not want people telling me my imperfect art is great because I have a disability.  As a professional my work is and should be judged like every other artist.  If an artist is not prepared for criticism then they should put their tools away. 

This week along with other artists that live with their own challenges we will show off our talents. In a exhibition called 'Having  Your Voice' I am not quite sure what that means.  I do know we all want the public to come and see our exhibition and let the art speak for itself.  Good art always has its own voice. 

'Having Your Voice'

Ipswich Community Gallery

24th August to 26th August

Official Opening 3 pm Saturday 25th August

Art Speaks All Languages

My body is sacred not my artwork

Art speaks all languages, but are we willing to listen?  A piece of art can speak to anyone or it can speak to no one. Art is the same whether it hangs in a gallery in New York, Tokyo, London or Brisbane, Australia. Whatever the language of the audience the same message is being delivered.

Art is consistent across all classes of society, it draws the homeless and the Australian Senate, however the viewer decides for themselves what they are to receive. The challenge of any artist is to evoke emotion from the audience and sometimes sell itself.

Art does not judge, and yet it is judged. Its image, technical strength, content and message is continually challenged by those who view it.  Art should promote discussion and evoke strong reactions.

Unless it is by a renowned artists, questions of its background and of its creator are not asked, all that really matters is the response.  So whether the artwork is created by a Jew or a Christian; a bisexual or straight person; an abled-bodied person or person with a disability is irrelevant.

Just as the art lover judges the appearance of the artwork, so does society judge the appearance of the artist, especially when they are visually different to others. This difference is not visible to the buyer so why should a curator judge on the grounds of disability? Surely like all artists, the work of artists with disability should be judged on its merit.

The audience is not asked to judge the artist, only the quality of their work. Artwork and creativity should be allowed to speak for itself.  I see no need to distinguish between abilities of the artist unless making an argument on the outstanding nature of their work.

"As an artist, once my artwork is hanging on a gallery wall, my disability is irrelevant." Judith Baker. For my art to continue to be socially relevant my disability needs to step into the background. You the audience should allow my work to speak for itself.   

ndis What's Working Well For Me!

Sale at Foot by Foot

Aspire Art Gallery

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is designed to support people and families living with disabilities to live their best lives as part of their community.  The ndis provides an individualised plan to assist people to achieve their goals.  ndis goals can be around education, training, life skills, interests, hobbies, recreation, work, sport and community participation.

It is true some things are still not working the way it is intended and there are access issues around navigating pathways. However when they work . . . things can be wonderful.

Meet the Artist at Aspire Gallery

I have been an active member of Aspire Gallery for just over 12 months. Belonging to a gallery outside Ipswich is one of the things the ndis has enabled me to achieve. My one-on-one direct support enables me to visit galleries outside Ipswich. My team leader organises my calendar, delivers and collects my artwork and supports me to attend openings and other artist's commitments. As part of my Aspire Membership I am entitled to professional development advice.

At my last professional development session, my mentor again encouraged me to revisit my printmaking and to look at pop-art and pop-culture as an avenue. I am so glad I took that advice.

My Ipswich fans can check out my progress during September, I had so much fun creating this colourful art display. My current ndis goals are around extending my art practice and working towards a solo exhibition in Brisbane, so my work at Aspire Gallery has been a great stepping stone. 

In February, I had a solo exhibition at the Drawing Point Gallery, The Melting Pot. This was in the main an exhibition of textile dolls.  With this exhibition I also wanted to begin a discussion on social inclusion in the Ipswich art community.  The work of artists living with disability speaks for itself.  Access issues for these artists need to be addressed in order for them to participate. This is what the ndis was designed to do through looking at ways to improve daily living for the participants. 

Disability reduces a person's function in a 'normal' way. It is the structure of society that disables a particular person to perform a task. Whether that be physical, intellectual, social or psychological. Disabilty does not mean a person is unable to do certian things. For example they may paint with their feet, but they can still produce award winning work, if their access issues are meet.

My advocacy work in this area is another ndis goal. I seek to use art as a way to build social inclusion. Perhaps my largest contribution is using my ndis package to address my own access needs to show the community what is possible. 

Currently, I am hoping to take my doll exhibition to Brisbane in 2019, so I am putting together a proposal which will reignite the discussion. 

The other part of my plan is about improving my daily living through physio and technology.  I am working with someone who looks at how technology can improve my ability to function independently.   Improving my endurance through physio has enabled me to work in the art studio for longer and still make the social engagements required as an artist. 

I am now getting around my garden independently and not searching for the next post to grab on to.  Physio has definitely enabled me to enjoy being in the garden again.  This makes me feel much more alive and like I am doing something (gardening) for my own well being. I still need my in-home support worker to support me with the potting and moving my pots. 

As you prepare to transfer to the ndis or your next planning meeting think about what you want or what you want for your child. What are the things that could make life easier, more fun or improve independence.  Not everyone is able to live in their own home and not everyone likes gardening.  So what are the things that make you happy and how can the ndis help you to include these things in your life. 

With the ndis life can look bright.

The Power of Words

Growing up I was told 'sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me'.  This was a response to bullies at school, we now know bullying has reached the point where someone's words result in people taking their own lives.  The pen or keyboard is mightier than the sword and those who use pens have a greater responsibility to use them correctly.

When it comes to advertising, we need to first consider the message we want to deliver.  I can't imagine why anyone would use 'Art Therapy' as the words to help people not feel less and isolated or to promote an art exhibition. The use of a double negative doesn't make for a positive message. Rather, the author has just announced to the public that these artists (of whom I am one) are less and do not belong. 

This hamper's my message of belonging and building a community of inclusion.  These are words that exclude rather than include.  Why would the public want to see an exhibition by artists that need to be empowered because they consider themselves less?  The message of the article is clear, come see an exhibition by artists that feel less able and less accomplished, to make them feel better about themselves. 

I am feeling very uneasy about my role in the exhibition.  With this kind of media as the Manager of Ignite artists, I cannot afford to support an event using this language.  I have considered not submitting my work, but this is an exhibition hosted by my art group, so I feel torn.  

The user of words needs to consider their message otherwise articles are written with mixed messages and dis-empower the people they seek to support.

My message remains 'let our art speak for itself.  The art will state we are equal.'  Disregard anything you have read about the exhibition and come let your own eyes make their own conclusions. 

"Hearing Our Voices"

Ipswich Community Gallery

August 24th to 27th