barrinstationsproject: March 2007

Barry Stations Project The Barry Stations Project was introduced by Spectrum in Spring of 2006 to encourage artists to produce works based on Barry’s greatest legacy-its railways and its stations.

Led by Shirley Anne Owen, Claire Davies, Hannah Gray, and Russ Taylor, a series of workshops were held and the result was a comprehensive range of written work and artwork. The central core of this work will be exhibited in the Spectrum Traveller’s Gallery, Barry Station and at Barry Island Station-the artwork and poems shown side by side. Work can be viewed at these venues from Friday 2nd March until Wednesday 25th April 2007. This Blog website includes most but not all of the work produced.

Participating Artists were:

Shirley Anne Owen
Claire Davies
Roger Casling
Geraldus John
Hanah Gray
Steve Hitchens
Paul Baker

What is the Spectrum Arts Partnership?

The Vale of Glamorgan based Spectrum Arts Initiative is a pioneering partnership of artists and arts and mental health agencies which aims to encourage the creative potential of people with mental health problems in the Vale and throughout South Wales. The aims of the Spectrum Arts Partnership include:

§ Improving opportunities for local people to become involved in the Arts as a way of gaining and sustaining good mental health.
§ Removing obstacles for people recovering from mental health problems to access arts activities and resources.
§ Providing support for people recovering from mental health problems to develop their creativity and confidence.
§ Encouraging opportunities for work of quality to be displayed/performed.

The initiative – which drew inspiration from the Studio Upstairs projects in London and Bristol – has enriched both the cultural life of the Vale and the lives of many people recovering from mental health problems through a range of workshops, events and exhibitions.

The Spectrum Arts Partnership includes:

Mind in the Vale of Glamorgan
Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust
Bro Morgannwg NHS Trust
Vale of Glamorgan Council
VOGA (Vale of Glamorgan Artists)
Coed Hills Rural Arts Space
Progress Cymru Theatre Co.
Valley and Vale Arts
Washington Gallery
St Donats Arts Centre
Barry College
And local artists, writers and performers.