My Self
A Sun Pier House CIC & MESS ROOM collaboration 2018/19
#OpenArtsMySelf
In summer 2018 we were delighted to be awarded our first Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant Funding, to deliver a brand new project in partnership with MESS ROOM artists Wendy Daws BEM and Christopher Sacre. The project was also supported by Ideas Test, Kent Association for the Blind, University of Kent and Medway Council.
The ‘My Self’ project was specifically designed for blind and visually impaired, deaf and hard of hearing people, young people and their families. The 14 month project aimed to investigate the value of socially engaged practice, looking at improving well-being and engagement with those people at risk of social isolation.
Participants created art in workshops, in the new accessible art studio MESS ROOM, situated in the ground floor at Sun Pier House. The MESS ROOM artists also ran workshops for pupils at Danecourt Community School and All Faiths Children’s Academy.
‘My Self’ culminated in a curated exhibition in The Gallery at Sun Pier House (May- June 2019), a second exhibition in The Crypt at Rochester Cathedral (July-August 2019), and finally a third exhibition in Sittingbourne across three sites – at No34 High Street, Phoenix House and Sittingbourne Library (September 2019).
Follow the full journey of this exciting project through the images using #OpenArtsMySelf on @SunPierHouse @CCSacre @WendyDaws @MessRoomMedway
“Wonderful display of how art can enable people and help express identity”
31, 158
audience reached
“A lovely lovely exhibition. Real people doing real art. Sees the focus on doing rather than allowing a disability to dominate creative life”
345% increase in Overall Wellbeing Score
Medway Deaf Arts
Born out of the ‘My Self’ project, Christopher Sacre has developed open access art sessions for deaf adults, taking place in the MESS ROOM.
Contact Christopher directly for more details on the next available sessions – mail@messroom.org.uk
mini MESS
In 2019, MESS ROOM artist Christopher Sacre and Sun Pier House CIC joined forces to create ‘mini MESS’.
Messy art classes for babies and toddlers – 9 months to 3 years – with sessions delivered in BSL (British Sign Language) and spoken English.
Thursday morning sessions, in the Gallery at Sun Pier House. All sessions should be pre-booked – contact us for information on the next available dates – info@sunpierhouse.co.uk
“Harmony had so much fun! Thank you!” – Beth
