Young ‘artists in training’ get creative in Camden

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Hundreds of disabled youngsters in Camden will explore their creative side thanks to new funding for an art project running in the borough.

The Artist in Training programme is run by the charity PACE – Play, Adventure and Community Enrichment – based at Fairfield Playcentre, in Camden Town.

Visiting artists run workshops on techniques such as painting, ceramics, textiles and creating artwork from junk materials, with the children’s art displayed in an annual exhibition.

The scheme is being funded with a £64,000 grant from City Bridge Trust – the City of London Corporation’s charity funder.

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City of London Corporation City Bridge Trust Committee Chairman, Dhruv, Patel said: “The Artist in Training programme is a fantastic way of allowing children with a range of complex needs to explore their creativity, make friends and learn new skills.

“We’re delighted to be able to support a scheme which has real and lasting benefits to hundreds of children in Camden and their families.”

The programme will run 10 sets of sessions throughout the year for the two years of the City Bridge Trust funding, each focusing on a different artistic style.

PACE Chief Operating Officer Henry Purkis said: “The children who take part in these sessions not only develop their artistic skills but also things like communication and self-confidence, through taking part in challenging activities that our outside their comfort zone.

“They love the sessions and are really proud of the art they produce, and their parents are always amazed by the work their children do and grateful for the support and the extra respite it provides them with.”

Any families in Camden with a child with a disability they think would benefit from taking part is asked to contact Angela Ramos for more information by emailing [email protected]

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