Signing Off for Self-Care

The Art Hub is now one whole year old!

Kayrakise and her origami star garland

We opened our brand-new door this time last year to an eager audience, who were keen to see what had been going on behind the scenes, since renovation of the old pottery studio started in April 2024.

To celebrate, we invited all the people who donated to our spacehive crowdfunder, and supported in other ways over the year, to come and spend a creative afternoon with us. We planned an extended session for that Friday, and encouraged visitors to enjoy a cuppa and a mince pie with us, to enjoy the space they helped us to bring back to life.

A constellation of stars

Thanks to all of you, we had the resources to create the community hub we’d envisaged for such a long time. When Thortify began its life, “as a self-initiated project in 2017”, we could only imagine having an actual ‘home’ to grow our ideas and community.

But then…

We found ourselves actually working on transforming two rooms that needed a lot of commitment and a generous sprinkling of magic – and we delivered.

Lisa perfecting her folds

What the physical space has allowed us to do is manifold. Aside from having actual ‘office space’ to store resources, meet up and use creatively, we have also brought together a community of wonderful humans who share our ethos and aims. The Art of Self-Care project hoped to expand on our understanding that the arts, in all its forms, contributed significantly to our wellbeing.

You only had to pass through the room on our last Friday drop-in, to be made aware of the sense of companionship that exists in our afternoon sessions. New arrivals are welcomed warmly by those who have attended much longer, and a collaborative tone is set from the start. We are simply gathering to make space for ourselves to create together.

And it’s pure joy!

Tea and paper play

I for one, love ending my week with a mindful wind down. And after one year of spending creative time together, firm friendships have been formed.

Particularly rewarding, was the visit from one of the Good Gym volunteers on the Saturday. Rose had been there at the beginning, helping us to paint the dreary interior in brilliant white, and was amazed at the way the derelict space is now being used. We reminisced about the cold damp environment, rolling paint over the dingy walls until late in the evening and then leaving, weary, with spatters in our hair and paint freckles on our faces.

So, what’s next for Thortify?

Gina learns a new skill to add to her collection

Well… we are going to be taking a break from our usual schedule. However, look out for details of outside providers who will be hiring our space and delivering a range of creative sessions. I will be back in the spring with fresh ideas for our Friday ‘Freedom to Create’ sessions and to pick up where I left off with other projects.

Meanwhile Lauren and Gloria will be making a start on phase two of the funded side of our organisation, and pulling together all the strands needed to submit another application to Arts Council England. We have even more ambitious plans for the next stage in our development!

Another workbook is already starting to emerge. This will eventually become another FREE resource to add to our three existing self-care workbooks, which are still available to view or download on our website.

Ending the year with festive fun

On top of all this, we are also welcoming NEW artists to the art hub. And as they take over the last of the empty workspaces, we will also be partnering with artist Ally of Rose and Reverie Glass to expand our workshop schedule.

Look out for Ally’s first stained glass workshop coming up in January.

So, we hope find time for some valuable self-care in among the festivities. Go on, embrace your version of ‘wintering’!

Catch you on the flip side!

Debra

Thortify