HOLLY
Holly was awarded the Mark Dower Trust grant in early 2018, to contribute towards funding art classes and workshops. Holly is a professional painter, working in her gallery in Norwich and selling her artwork that incorporates her ataxic symptoms into her style. Below, she tells us about what winning the award has given her. 'I’m so unbelievably grateful to be awarded the Mark Dower Trust this year. It has enabled me to discover a new art form: pottery, which I have never done before. I have so enjoyed finding out different ways to express myself through my art. It was also really lovely to change up my routine: one day a week I was able to do something different, but equally creative to my usual work. I found the whole experience really relaxing and therapeutic. For anyone who has not tried throwing on a pottery wheel, I really recommend it! Through the medium of pottery, I was able to create art which wasn’t defined by my disability. Similarly with art – there is no direct link with ataxia, which is why I see art as a form of escapism, and a form of self-expression that’s independent of ataxia. The Mark Dower Trust grant has allowed me to explore this all the more, and add another skill and passion to my practice. I would 100% recommend anyone from the 16-30's group to apply for the grant!' |
In 2017, the Mark Dower Trust teamed up with Orpheus college to provide two grants. Please see below a description of Orpheus' work and profiles of our recipients; Josh and Laurie. Orpheus is an independent specialist college in Surrey that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts. They believe that every young disabled person should have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
In 2017, the Mark Dower Trust teamed up with Orpheus college to provide two grants. Please see below a description of Orpheus' work and profiles of our recipients; Josh and Laurie. Orpheus is an independent specialist college in Surrey that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts. They believe that every young disabled person should have the same opportunities as their non-disabled peers.
Josh graduated from Orpheus this year and has now moved into his own flat in Caterham. Since leaving the college he has been busy settling in and he plans to be an active member of his new community. Josh enjoys being a member of Stopgap Youth Dance Company and Freewheelers Theatre Company. He is looking forward to attending these again when the new term kicks off in September. He will also be volunteering at Knights Garden Centre weekly. The Mark Dower Trust will be supporting Josh by offering him £620 towards his transport costs for the year.
|
Laurie also graduated from the Orpheus Centre this summer and is looking forward to moving into his own flat shortly. Laurie has been relying on using the computers at the college, however moving on from Orpheus he has decided it is time he had his own laptop. Having his own laptop would allow Laurie to organise his own transport, create plans for activities with the charity, Whizz-Kidz, where he volunteers, and to keep in touch with his friends. The Mark Dower Trust will be supporting Laurie by offering him £300 towards his new HP laptop.
|