South Staffordshire College "Art For Life" Students Exhibition Opens

South Staffordshire College's "Art for Life" course students are presenting an exhibition of works at the Samuel Johnson Hospital in Lichfield which was opened recently by Malcolm Watson, Head of Mental Health Services for the Lichfield area.

The students have all been attending a therapeutic art course, often referred by medical professionals, at the College's Community Education venue at Chase Terrace on The Master Craft Centre, Cross Keys in Lichfield.

The course operates under the auspices of South Staffordshire College's Lichfield campus, where Alison Churchill, Head of Faculty for Art, Media and IT and her team have established a strong reputation in creative circles.

Art for Life students are not expected to have previous skills or experience. They join for companionship, to gain personal confidence, as part of a programme to overcome grief or depression or simply for the love of art and progress at their own pace. Students can experiment
with many types of medium and the course covers painting, drawing, use of pencils, inks, pastels and collage. For those that show interest or talent there are many opportunities to go on and pursue other classes within South Staffordshire College.

Imogen Kilfoyle is an Art Lecturer in Community Education and has had a close involvement with Art for Life. She comments "Art can transform lives. Learners on the course experiment with their creative skills and that leads to feelings of wellbeing and positive thoughts. Anyone who visits the exhibition will see how inspirational the courses are for many of our students".

The Art for Life exhibition is on permanent display at the Samuel Johnson Hospital and members of the public can find it in the corridor leading to the two main wards.

Anyone interested in Art for Life courses can ask their local GP or contact Joy Peace at South Staffordshire College on 01827 304337