Student artwork published by a Pembrokeshire based social enterprise as part of a free ‘just saying hi’ campaign has been included in a national fundraising campaign for Mind Cymru, backed by Michael Sheen.
The ‘Arts on a Postcard’ fundraiser, organised by the Josef Hermon Foundation in Swansea invited artists from far and wide to submit their art by post to form a showreel of 360 postcards for people to purchase in a secret raffle.
Stakes are currently being sold for £25, after which each contributor will receive one of the postcards in return at random, as a thank you and memento of their good work.
Funds raised will go to Mind Cymru to support essential work in helping people manage their mental health.
Founder of west Wales based Life Seeker CIC, Sally Boyton is delighted to see the artwork showcased in their small scale campaign supporting something much bigger,
“Our ‘just saying hi’ campaign was designed as a way of giving back to the community and to raise the spirits of those feeling isolated during lockdown. The chosen artwork also helped spread the word about how expressive art sessions can assist people to overcome mental or physical health challenges. Seeing this concept expand to support the work of the Josef Hermon Foundation fundraiser is hugely satisfying.”
Permission to use the artwork created during expressive arts sessions was granted by Deborah Withey, founder and lead practitioner at Henry Hedgepodge Academy of Art, a creative therapies on referral centre in The Green Shed, Haverfordwest.
Deborah explains,
“My students Toby and Eva, both age 11 are delighted that their artwork has reached as far as London, Scotland and the USA via this campaign. Let’s hope their creativity helps spread the word about the power of expressive arts and the effective management of mental health.”
In addition to the posting the ‘send a smile’ cards free of charge, Life Seeker also collaborated with local businesses trading online who have been kind enough to add a card into each of their orders to spread the word. Thanks goes to Cleo Browne of Celtic Quest Coasteering (who has temporarily diversified into hand making protective face masks), Rachel Mullet of Pembrokeshire Moments, Paul Hill of West Coast Surf Wax and Six Foot and Clean, Sophie Grace Joseph of Sophie’s Book Shop and Sebastian Pope of Tailwind Nutrition Wales for their support.
To view the full showreel and purchase a £25 stake in the Mind Cymru fundraiser, visit the Josef Hermon Foundation ‘Arts on a Postcard’ web page.
To learn more about the mental health benefits of expressive arts, visit Henry Hedgepodge Academy of Art at www.henryhedgepodge.com/
(Eva and Toby’s work appears in this showreel at 7 mins 27 secs) – don’t blink or you’ll miss it 😆
