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Testimonials
innovative
interesting
boosted my confidence
Ten years ago
I became the very first person to join Escape. I remember the day
well as I had such an enjoyable time trying out new things and even
being photographed by the local paper. I soon became a regular
member and rarely missed a week. I found the sessions so much fun
and always went home with a new and excit Escape gave me an opportunity to relax and have some fun. I have met a lot of very kind and very interesting people through Escape over the last ten years. When I first joined I had just finished a degree in textiles and was wondering what work I would be able to find in the future. I was soon given the opportunity to teach some of the workshops at Escape and I found that this really boosted my confidence and helped me to realise that I could work and care for my son. This time I spent at Escape gave me the opportunity to rethink my future and I subsequently made the decision to go back to college and retrain as a doctor. This was something I’d always thought of being as a young child but had given up on after having my own child at a very young age. I am now in my final year at medical school and without Escape I may not have had the courage and confidence to do this. Thank you Escape! I am also now the chair of the trustees of Escape and am so proud that what started off as a small group in Stratford has expanded and evolved to become what it is today. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make it what it is. I know that it really changed my life and I am truly grateful. Susanne Aubon, 2006.
strength
flair
achievement
I felt very honoured to be invited to the opening of Escape’s 10th anniversary ‘Growth’ Exhibition at The Gallery in Stratford, in June 2007.
Having been involved with Escape at
its inception and during the early days, and having been kept
up-to-date with its progress over the years, I was aware that the
project had grown and taken great leaps forward over the last 10
years. I knew that it had helped many, many people and that it is
respected and encouraged by a good many statutory bodies & funders,
but I was not ready for what awaited me in the Gallery space, when I
arrived for the opening. In awe, I stood in the doorway. The
quality, diversity and body of
Having worked in community arts for a good many years I feel very proud to be able to say I was part of Escape. It has blossomed and flourished, as have those involved with it. It is clear that Escape’s worth and standing in the area is a valuable asset. It has been, and can continue to be, of significant help to people across the whole community. No barriers, no questions, no judgements, simply quality artistic tuition in a non-threatening environment, giving support and encouragement, and most of all re-affirming the worth of each individual. Escape is clearly a very important part of the lives of those who use it, and I would suggest that Escape should be truly valued, by those outside the doors of its three successful workshops, and held up as a fine example of what other areas of Britain could introduce to benefit their communities. It was a delight to see that the initial vision, from 10 years ago, had been made a reality, and that it has developed far beyond our early expectations. Well done to you all.
Fondest regards,
massive success
stunning superb
The Growth project was a massive success with absolutely stunning results. The comments and feedback were superb at the private view. Being involved in the Growth project was a great privilege and all the participants had a huge sense of achievement. It has been the one project I am most proud of being involved in throughout my eight years of working in Community Education as a visiting artist. Ros Ingram
fantastic magical excellent Thank you so much for the time and effort you contributed to the Growth exhibition . A fantastic, magical environment evolved turning The Gallery into a visual feast. I have never seen the space so well used, by so many. The community spirit was very impressive and the practical workshops were excellent. The Gallery became a thriving busy centre for local residents and visitors, exactly how it should be used. Stratford-upon-Avon College is proud to have hosted 'Growth' and looks forward to future links.
Wendy
Freeman
Escape: Community Art
in Action. |
ing piece of work. The
artists were so innovative and showed me so many new ideas and
techniques. As a mother of a disabled child I found that life could
sometimes be quite stressful.
work on display was inspiring and a
real uplifting joy to see. It made me realise what a strength and
flair and value Escape carries with it; both in its participants,
its guiding artists, and in its 3 workshop spaces. It was as I stood
on the threshold of such an array of talent and achievement that I
realised how much Escape had grown into something special, something
we dreamed of when we set up the initial 3 month pilot project ten
years ago.
