Funding boost for calligraphy and creative wellbeing workshops

Calligraphy and creative wellbeing sessions will form part of my 10th birthday celebrations thanks to funding from Arts Council England.

I’m delighted to say I’ve been successful in applying for a second Project Grant from Arts Council England, following Inspired by Lindisfarne in 2022.

Calligraphy and Creative Wellbeing will benefit both my weekly groups and a number of organisations in South Tyneside and Sunderland who work to promote positive mental health and wellbeing through art and creativity.

People have long commented on how relaxing and mindful they find calligraphy during my workshops and calligraphers like Paul Antonio are huge advocates for the meditativeness of calligraphy practice.

Ten creative challenges for 10 years in business

The £4,008 project, of which ACE has funded £2,808, covers 10 creative challenges in the community to mark 10 years of Creative Calligraphy.

I will be running calligraphy workshops for Age Concern Tyneside South, Bright Futures, Arts 4 Wellbeing, Women’s Health in South Tyneside and Sunderland-based Community Opportunities.

This will hopefully introduce new audiences to calligraphy and lead to an ongoing relationship with these organisations and their members.

My weekly groups, who benefited from the first project grant, will again work with guest artists to learn new skills that will complement their calligraphy.

They will be introduced to metal embossing, chine colle lino printing and mandala drawing with Carrie Dennison, from Crafts for Wellbeing.

They will also try watercolour painting with Kerry Cook, from The Art Room Sunderland.

Calligraphy and Creative Wellbeing is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.