This October/November, The Heart of the Tribe will exhibit the creative explorations of a small cohort of people who think they’re not creative, and crafty creatives who say they’re not Artists!
The project is called ‘What is Art Anyway?’ – a question I have asked myself ever since graduating from a Fine Art Foundation course at age 21 with the belief that I could never be a “real artist”. The belief had been instilled in me by my art tutors, following on from my secondary school art teacher, whose bitterness about not achieving her own artistic dreams led her to tear down and shame many of her students.
I’m now 37 years old, and 6 years into what Julia Cameron, author of ‘The Artist’s Way’, calls a Creative Recovery; acknowledging the whims and wishes of my inner child whilst parenting and teaching myself in the ways that I wish I’d have been parented and taught. What I’ve learned is:
1. We can do ANYTHING we want to do, regardless of what society (or an art teacher) tells us
2. We can change our story at any time
3. Play is not just for children; it is the birthplace of creativity, and our creativity puts us in touch with our divinity
I’m so excited to begin sharing some of the tools I have learned so far on my journey, and have received £1000 from Somerset Council’s ‘Creative Ideas Fund’ to do so. I am working with a wonderful collaborator, Crysta Seal, a counsellor with local Sweet Track Counselling Services who is also on a journey of creative expansion and exploration.
Together we have crafted a course of 3 playful workshops designed to connect participants with their inner child, confront their inner critics, and change their story.
Most participants are living with chronic health concerns or disabilities (something Crysta and I share as facilitators), and their ages range from 46 to 80. Following the workshops, we will stage an exhibition at The Heart of The Tribe Gallery who have kindly offered their beautiful workshop space for free to support the project. The idea of an exhibition is controversial for a course which aims to help people free themselves from their ego or inner critic…so to remove the pressure and keep the spirit of play, the brief is to “Create something ugly”. Of course, it’s all an experiment and we have no idea how it will go! But isn’t that the essence of creativity? What is “art” anyway?
Please come and see our “ugly” creations from Friday 24 th October – Monday 3 rd November!
Cat Rocca, Glastonbury-based Artist and Musician