When the Little Master P was born we were inundated with an array of wonderful new baby cards, however, one stood out more than most.
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| Congratulations on your new baby. Don't drop him. |
This humorous cute card came from my cousin Katie, who volunteers for a wonderful organisation called ARTHOUSE Meath, a social enterprise supporting individual artists with severe epilepsy and learning difficulties to create artworks and products for sale. I myself work for a local charity who support individuals with
Autism, so I completely appreciate the importance of such organisations in raising awareness while empowering individuals within their own skills sets and abilities. The creative mind behind the ARTHOUSE Meath is incredible, turning simple detailed drawings of dogs, horses, birds, teapots, scissors and lots more into beautiful products which include cards, wrapping paper, tea towels, baby bibs (i got one of those too!) jewellery, mugs, just check out the
Online Shop for the full range of products.
I would like to introduce you now to both a volunteer and an artist from ARTHOUSE Meath to tell you all about the service and products.
VOLUNTEER
(Katie Abbott)
How long have you been
volunteering at ARTHOUSE Meath?
Just
over a year now. ARTHOUSE Meath has existed as a service to the clients
(artists) for about 8 years but it only evolved into the full blown high street
shop last April, which is when I joined.
How and why did you decide to
become a volunteer?
About
6 years ago when I moved to Godalming I fell in love with an ARTHOUSE Meath
painting that was in an exhibition in a local pottery shop. It was through that
painting that I found out more about the ARTHOUSE and the work they did there.
Over the years I bought a few prints whenever I stumbled across ARTHOUSE Meath
selling at local town fairs. Then, when I saw that they had moved into an empty
shop in the high street and were advertising for volunteers I rang up straight
away and asked if I could get involved.
Can you describe what the
ARTHOUSE Meath is?
ARTHOUSE
Meath is a social enterprise that celebrates and values the artistic talents of
adults with severe epilepsy and learning disabilities. Clients come to the
ARTHOUSE both from the Meath Trust, a residential home in Godalming, and from
the community. Professional artists run two sessions a day in which the clients
sketch, draw and paint under guidance from the artist. The work is then framed
and sold in the shop and at art fairs. Often, an element of a painting or
sketch will be transferred onto a product. Currently the ARTHOUSE produces hand
printed cards, T-shirts, baby ware, as well as wrapping paper, mugs, jugs, tea
towels, cushions, notebooks and jewellery. The list is endless and ever
growing. These products are then also sold in the shop, online on the ARTHOUSE
Meath website, Not on the High Street and Amazon, and in over 80 stockists
across the country. All profits go back into sustaining ARTHOUSE Meath and
anything beyond that goes back into The Meath Trust itself.
Having read your recent post on
the ARTHOUSE Meath blog it is clear that you are very passionate about the
service. What makes it such a wonderful environment to work in?
There
are lots and lots of great things about ARTHOUSE Meath. But for me I
would have to say that primarily it is the people that make it such a special
place. Not only the team of people who have had the vision and commitment to
make the ARTHOUSE Meath exist - from the trustees, to the ARTHOUSE Director, to
the volunteers and all the people in between - but the clients themselves.
Sitting and chatting with them, watching how much they enjoy creating beautiful
art, and being there with them when one of their designs sells - seeing just
how much it means to them - all of these things make it a wonderful place to
spend time.
How do you think the clients
benefit from ARTHOUSE Meath?
Without
doubt the clients benefit from achieving a sense of pride in themselves. For
them to be told verbally, but also commercially through the popularity of their
work, that they are creating things of beauty and worth is so precious.That
sense of pride is a wonderful thing to foster. I know that they all also love
feeling part of the community - both in the sense that they are at the heart of
a close knit team at ARTHOUSE Meath, but also in the sense that the ARTHOUSE's
physical presence in the High Street puts them at the centre of the action in
town. Every day customers come in and admire the work, buy the work and chat
away to the clients. It is a really rewarding experience for everyone involved.
Describe your day at ARTHOUSE
Meath?
It
varies from week to week, but usually I'll arrive and take over in the shop
from the volunteer who worked the morning shift. Then I'll find out if there
are any jobs that need doing, for example folding and packing cards or
packaging up internet orders ready to send out. Whilst I'm doing this I'll chat
to the professional artist that will be running the afternoon session, and
often talk to other members of the team about ways to market ARTHOUSE Meath to
more people in more ways. Then the afternoon group arrive and work
starts. Sarah, one of the clients, is always up in the front of the shop with
me and she'll help me with the jobs I'm doing. And of course, we'll be chatting
to and serving customers whenever they come in. It's a very lively place with
music on in the background and a constant stream of coming and goings. There's
always several topics of conversation going on at any one time and lots of
different distractions at regular intervals. Sometimes we'll all stop working
and help the Art Director title and price paintings; sometimes we'll help to
rearrange window displays and studio space; other times we'll be chatting about
the latest boy band or holidays we're taking. It is a vibrant and varied day
and it's wonderful.
Are you a creative person and
have the ARTHOUSE Meath artists inspired you in anyway to be more creative?
I
enjoy how things look and and have always been particularly drawn to art brings
together strong colours and a naive style . One of the reasons I wanted to work
at the ARTHOUSE was to be surrounded by art that I loved - not just
because of it's provenance but because in itself it is just stunning work.
Absolutely, I'm inspired by the work every week but have to admit that I
haven't yet done anything about it.
Do you have any personal
favourites from the collection available in the shop and online?
I
love the Garden jugs, they make great gifts. Practically everyone I know
has one now! And the Relationship jug is a favourite as Sarah, who works
with me in the shop on a Thursday, created that design. All of the cards
are so funny and poignant that I find myself wanting to buy them just in case
the right occasion arises. The perennial best sellers are anything with the
unique dogs, birds or cats designs on them. They fly off the shelves.
What’s next for you at ARTHOUSE
Meath?
I'd
just love to continue to be involved in the evolution of ARTHOUSE Meath for as
long as I can.
ARTIST
(Grace Oakley)
What do you enjoy most about
your day at ARTHOUSE Meath?
There's
a nice atmosphere and nice people to work with. It's relaxing and fun. And it's
nice to have your work appreciated. It's nice being part of a team.
Is it hard work?
No,
not at all. Especially if you know what you're doing. But it can be complicated
and it can take a while.
What do you do at ARTHOUSE
Meath?
Painting
and drawing and we sit and chat. The artist tells us how it needs to be done
and then we do it.
If you could draw anything what
would it be?
A
horse. I love horses. I have done since I was a little girl. I never used to be
good at drawing horses or figures but I've got good through lots of
practice.
Have you been a part of any
product drawings?
Yes,
I drew the Dancers (which are another best seller and feature on cards and
wrapping paper).
Why should people buy products
from ARTHOUSE Meath?
Because
we're raising money for The Meath and that's a good thing.
Thank you so much to Katie and Grace for taking the time to tell us all about the very inspiring ARTHOUSE Meath.
If you would like to find out more about ARTHOUSE Meath or buy any of their beautiful products then please visit the
website.
Nice to see you again.
Xxx
