Young at ‘Art

Young at ‘Art is our award-winning programme for adults at risk of isolation and loneliness. Set up in 2015 in partnership with VGERTA (Vauxhall Gardens Estate Residents and Tenants Association) we trialled the project in a sheltered housing block on Vauxhall Gardens Estate running 5 taster sessions for the residents. Since then the project has grown and evolved benefiting even more adults in Lambeth, you can read about the history of the project below.

“For those 2 hours I forgot about my pain and problems
and just got lost in Art”

Young at ‘Art at the Carmelita Centre: 2016 – 2023

After running the taster sessions in the sheltered housing to test them out it was felt we would be able to engage even more residents on Vauxhall Gardens Estate and beyond. So in September 2016 we got funding to run 4 months worth of classes at the Carmelita – whilst the project was initially intended for older members of the community it organically grew to include adults of all ages including supporting adults with special and complex needs.

Basic Book Binding Session

We went on to secure another 8 months funding from Lambeth Council running classes at the Carmelita from August 2017 – May 2018. It was in September 2017 we came 2nd in resident project of the year for Lambeth which was amazing and the group were ecstatic! Because of the positive feedback about the project we were inspired to hold an exhibition of the classes artworks which took place on the 15th February 2018. You can see all the artworks here and the private view in action here.

A short film we made about the project in 2018 for the first annual exhibition.

We were awarded funding to run classes over 12 months from June 2018 – June 2019. We still work in partnership with VGERTA, GreatArt and Lambeth Walk Day Centre where a lot of class come from, service users and carers as well as local residents to engage adults through art whilst helping to combat loneliness. We held our 2nd Annual Exhibition on the 21st February 2019 – you can see images of it here.

Young at ‘Art Second Annual Exhibition, February 2019

In 2019 we were awarded funding from Awards for All/The National Lottery Community Fund to run another year’s programme from August 2019 – July 2020, we held our 3rd Annual Exhibition in February 2020, you can see a walk through of the exhibition below.

With the pandemic in March 2020 we had to pause Young at ‘Art – we couldn’t resume till August 2021, we ran until December 2021 finishing the funding allocated pre-pandemic. We then received funding to run from March 2022 – April 2023 and resumed our annual exhibitions after the pause over the pandemic you can see photos of the exhibition here. It was a great night and fantastic to be able to finally showcase the participants work again after a long break!

Young at ‘Art at Wheatsheaf Hall: 2023 – now

In December 2023 we found a new home at Wheatsheaf Hall running our programme till May 2024, then resuming after a short break to deliver our “Summer Sessions” June – August 2024; including 3 trips to Tate Britain to sketch in the galleries.

We are currently trying to secure longer term funding so we can focus on developing what we offer and resume the annual exhibitions; making them even bigger and better!

Check out our upcoming classes page for info on future sessions!