Diagrama Foundation is staging an inclusive art exhibition displaying works by vulnerable artists at Rochester Cathedral next month, in partnership with organisations from across Europe.
The exhibition, entitled Inside Out, marks the culmination of a two-year Erasmus+ funded multi-national project which aims to empower vulnerable people.
GALA (Gentle Art, Living Art) led by the Diagrama Foundation, has brought together partners from Spain, Belgium, France and Romania.The project has created new cultural inclusion activities for vulnerable people by training care workers and volunteers in Gentle Learning techniques developed by Groep Ubuntu in Belgium – renowned for excellent professional practice in communicating, motivating and empowering disadvantaged people.
Diagrama Foundation has been focussing on developing the artistic skills and participation of adults with learning disabilities at its residential home Cabrini House in Orpington and with elderly residents at Edensor Care Centre in Clacton-on-Sea.
The project has included a series of creative art training workshops and works from these will be displayed at the 'Inside Out' exhibition at the Rochester Cathedral Crypt from June 13-20, 2019. This free exhibition will be open to the public every day from 10am - 4pm.
Other partners in the project include: Groep Ubuntu, Kortrijk, Belgium, working with adults with learning disabilities; Association ProVita, Valenii de Munte, Romania, working with women who have been victims of domestic violence; Diagrama Foundation, Spain, working with young people in conflict with the law; L’Art et La Maniere, St Clementin, France, supporting members of the isolated elderly community.
David McGuire, chief executive of Diagrama Foundation said: “This project has been transformational for our residents - it has opened up a whole host of opportunities for them to experience, including travel across Europe to meet other participating groups, receiving professional tuition from expert artists and developing their own unique approaches to art.
"The project has enabled them to express themselves through art and we hope members of the public will join us in celebrating their achievements by attending this inspirational exhibition."
Visitors to the exhibition will be invited to leave feedback on any particular artworks they have enjoyed and all comments will be shared with the artists themselves.
