Create Connect
Create Connect is a unique printmaking project that engages people with mental health or chronic health conditions in restorative printmaking activities. Participants work with our tutors Penny Brewill and Kimberley Ladd on learning new techniques and often revisiting a love of creativity from long ago.
Our starting point is “Take 5 steps to well-being” Connect, Keep Learning, Be Active, Take Notice and Give. Over several months participants improve their well being through being creative, connecting with others and supporting one another.
We know that engaging in printmaking can improve wellbeing. Participants have a period of meditative focus as they prepare a plate – concentration is improved, blood pressure drops and this is a quiet restorative stage. The inking up stage is physical and energy increases gently until the ‘Ah ha!’ moment when the print comes off the press, a sense of achievement and pride. There is usually great connection between participants at this point as people want to see what will come off the press.
Create Connect creates a unique space where participants leave behind their conditions, their health concerns and their cares, and lose themselves in printmaking for a few hours.
Some people who came as part of a group, were bitten by the printmaking bug and have gone on become members of Seacourt.
