Testimonials

“What is clear from working with Amanda is her passion for the projects she takes on, and making art activities accessible within local communities. I have been in touch with her as a representative of GreatArt for over 7 years and in that time we have worked on a broad range of projects together. Her ideas are creative and engaging, and she is very hard working, professional and dedicated to providing a good experience for her students.” Louise, GreatArt, Shoreditch

“The art class run by Amanda is great for me as it is only 5 minutes walk from my flat. Amanda makes you feel very welcome and always has very interesting art exercises. There is no pressure it is relaxed and the length of the class is perfect for me as I get tired very quickly. It is marvellous to have this gathering in the community so you can meet people living nearby and hear about other events happening. I would highly recommend it to older people like myself who live alone as it is an enjoyable afternoon.” Joan – Young at ‘Art, Vauxhall

“Going out to new groups and activities can give a person something to look forward to. To experience new things, learn new skills and mix with individuals in the community. Some of the words used by the individuals with disabilities were:

Lovely -very good – new friends – warm – friendly – happy – hang out with friends – thumbs up (non verbal”

London can be a very lonely place and if you have a disability it can be even lonelier! A lot of people feel isolated and getting the opportunity to go out and do new things and meet new people can only be of benefit to the individual in an environment where they don’t feel out of place or stared at such as the Young at ‘Art classes.” Carers and Service users from Lambeth Walk Day Centre – Young at ‘Art, Vauxhall

“Asked Freddy what he liked about art club he said “It’s just fun mummy. Because I get to do lots of different arty things with my friends and even when I think I’m just making a mess they help me to make something good!!” as a parent on a low income with limited possibilities for me having such a rich art resource available to my child is fantastic. it is an after school opportunity for us to create something together with very knowledgable artists alongside us showing us the way to create something I wouldn’t even have thought to attempt. There have been things that we have made from over a year ago that my son refuses to part with. The only problem is our home is starting to look like an art gallery! Thank you for this wonderfully creative time you have given us to share once a week” Nicky, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“My kids found it quite enjoyable and relaxing. A place to explore their artistic tendencies, a place where they don’t feel judged regarding their talent. Amanda and the volunteers are very kind and patient with the kids. it is a wonderful place to be.” Angela, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“I LOVE cool it art because I’ve always been bad at art but now I’m no longer bad all thanks to Amanda I have improved 100% in my art skills” – Analyce, aged 8 – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“I would just like to express my uttermost gratitude to the Cool it Art Class leaders and all involved for providing such a wonderful, creative, fun environment for my two children to learn new ideas and expressions in art over the last few months. It would be greatly beneficial for children living in our area to have a place where they can feel they are able to use their abilities to create art and learn more which will enhance their knowledge in many areas of art. Having free art classes is one way we personally enhanced my children’s summer holidays as we are unable to afford to go away on holiday. These classes they attended have enabled my children to learn new things and have entertained their thought processes and made them even more aware of reusing household things they see in our home, for their little art attacks. Art classes are not easily accessible to people from our community, either because it’s not offered or either because its not affordable. Please do not let this be the end of what has been the best classes my children have attended to help them develop their creative sides which they so love to explore. I feel my children are very creative and it would be a real shame to let it go to waste! After all who knows, they might be the future’s next great artist and what a shame it would be if they were not able to channel their energies in what they love doing the most – Art! Cool it Art Classes are so needed in our community – Please do not stop funding such an important project. Our youth need art classes!” – Louisa, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“I am glad we found Cool it Art my children enjoy it, I think it helps them express themselves.” – Mshende, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“Before bringing my kids to the art club, they had nothing much to do on Tuesdays after school. Now they have much to look forward to; they find it fun, exciting; a way of expressing themselves through art and they get to play with many other children. I think it is a brilliant idea and very useful to the community as a whole. Thank you for the opportunity!” – Cordelia, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“Brilliant Art class – has helped my children grow in confidence. The classes give loads of ideas the children can build on at home!” – Angela, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall

“My daughter Belle attends these classes on a Tuesday evening after school. She
thoroughly enjoys the projects that are taught and looks forward to it every week. She
even insisted on attending with a broken arm. The classes are really well thought out and
organised, all the children seem to enjoy it so much. I feel that Belle gets a lot from these
classes and is learning how to express herself through different medias that are taught. I
really hope this can continue” – Gill, parent – Cool it Art Classes, Vauxhall