Community learners hope their art exhibition will show how they have used their creativity to overcome the stigma of mental health issues.
The group of artists, who have all been through the mental care system, have their work on display at the Central Library, as part of the Bath Literature Festival.
‘My Voice In The City’ features the artwork, poetry, film and pottery of 12 artists who wanted to explore their own stories of mental illness.
The exhibitors attended a City of Bath College community learning course called ‘Get Noticed’ to help them prepare and publicise the event.
The four-week course at Percy Community Centre taught the learners, who suffer from anxiety and depression, how to write personal statements to accompany their artwork. They also learned how to write press releases and update websites to help promote the exhibition
Neil Flannigan, who used to be homeless, wanted to share his experiences of living on the streets of Bath, London and Newcastle through his artwork titled ‘Contrasts of the City’.
He cut out letters from newspaper headlines to produce a collage that aim to “explore black and white newsprint attitudes” and show the differences “between the haves and have nots of our society.”
Neil said: “I took the course to better myself; I wanted to become more confident and learn new skills.
“I have always liked art, but have never really known how to express myself with words; the course taught me how to produce better written work.
“It feels empowering to have my work in the exhibition. A year ago if anyone had said I’d have my work on display being looked at by so many people, I would have told them where to go, I just wouldn’t have believed it.”
Henry Williamson, 27, said his three print paintings were a visual recording of his bus journey to Keynsham to attend an art group.
He said: “I liked the supportive nature of the course; we were all like-minded people working together.
“The course really was good, I learned a lot about myself. I now know how you have to speak up and be confident if you want to get noticed.”
The week-long exhibition is collaboration between City of Bath College and the art collective Creativity Works.
City of Bath College course tutor David Davies said the weekly lessons had taught learners how to put an art exhibition together and promote the event.
He said: “We looked at publicity and how they can make a difference with different styles of writing, which are skills that can be transferred to other areas of life.
“But the most important thing they got out of this course was to be able to increase their skill set and their confidence.”
‘My Voice in the City’ continues at Bath Central Library until Saturday and is open daily from 10am to 4pm. Entry is free-of-charge. There will be a ‘meet the artist’ discussion on Thursday at 11am.
