past projects

Artist Mentor at 42nd Street

Throughout August and September 2021, I was invited to be an artist mentor on the 10 x10 project delivered by 42nd Street, Manchester. I was paired with a young artist to be their mentor while they created artwork for the Future is Ours festival. I worked with a fabulous artist called Randolph who produced a triptych of watercolours inspired by Josephs Campbell`s "Hero`s Journey" and referenced Bosch`s Garden of Delights. Randolph`s artwork has been highly commended and has featured on digital billboards across Manchester.

My career began in 1998 when I first found employment within a residential care home for adults with learning disabilities, within this work I found great satisfaction in helping people to develop independent living skills and also find opportunities to be active in the local community. Significantly, I also developed an interest in facilitating crafts and art activities to these residents, combining my experience of care work with my passion for all things creative and expressive.

After further employment in residential care environments, performing in children`s theatre and travels to Australia and South America in 2002 I decided to embark upon studies in Creative Therapy. These studies have been the foundations to my career as an arts engagement practitioner, enabling me to facilitate creative arts sessions and projects within charities and organisations.

The majority of my work has been working creatively with adults with complex needs from socially marginalised backgrounds and those experiencing mental health issues.

Past projects have included a reminiscence project with older people about toys and games, sensory collage for adults with visual impairments, a shadow puppetry show with refugees and collage portraiture with homeless people. Recently I delivered a photography and collage project with street based sex workers in Manchester entitled Trashformations.

I have been successful in securing Arts Council England and Awards for All funding for a number of these projects. Past partners include Stockport Council, Refugee Action, Centrepoint, Manchester Action on Street Health, Arts Recovery in the Community, WomenMatta and The Wellspring.

To request a CV detailing dates and locations please email shorerachel@hotmail.com

Below is a gallery of examples of the work I have produced as an artist and engagement practitioner, please click on the images for more information

I truly believe that art has many therapeutic benefits on a personal level helping the individual gain self esteem,explore issues and enhance wellbeing. I also have witnessed over the years how engagement in art can instigate social change, connecting people and enabling people who are often overlooked by society to become visible.

" I`m really pleased with what I`ve created, art isn`t always about making pretty pictures but using imagination" Louise, participant on Trashformations

" I feel like I`ve been part of something important, I will share our artwork with my all family" May, participant on Yesterday Play

Trashformations arts engagement project 2018-19

This project was facilitated with M.A.S.H (Manchester Action on Street Health), a charity for female sex workers in Manchester. Participants were asked to transform photos of rundown neglected Manchester streets and transform them into new artistic works of art. Through this process the women were able to let their imagination run free, express themselves and reflect their experiences. An emerging theme during the project was the juxtaposition between the neglected and abandoned parts of the city and its people, in comparison to the commercial investment and regeneration taking place. The project also engaged women attending WomenMatta and Women's Direct Access Hostel, 2 services for marginalised women.

The project was funded by M.A.S.H an Arts Council England. Local photographer Shari Denson was photographer on the project. HOME, MCr provided the project exhibition space as part of the Inspire programme between October 2018 to January 2019, it is estimated 2000+ experienced the artwork on display.

Please visit https://www.facebook.com/Trashformations-107361877272924/

Please check out this article about the project and its participants

https://artloud.art.blog/2019/11/01/trashformations-when-beauty-shines-in-the-broken/