Artistic celebration for local people with learning disabilities
Posted on 26 October 2005
Laura Goforth, a third year learning disability nursing student, is staging Participation, in the Undercroft of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Fossgate, York, on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 October.
I want to promote the artistic skills and achievements of people in this area with learning disabilities
Laura Goforth
About 120 artists working in day centres, schools, residential homes, and a theatre group, as well as individuals in their own homes, from York, Selby, Harrogate, Scarborough, Richmond, Danby, Ripon, Bubwith and Northallerton, have contributed to the exhibition. Some have done individual pieces while others have worked jointly to produce a group piece.
Laura, 29, who has a degree in Fine Art from Bretton Hall, said: "I want to promote the artistic skills and achievements of people in this area with learning disabilities. This will give them an opportunity to express themselves, to be valued and to play a part in their community.
"The Government White Paper Valuing People aims to improve the life chances of people with learning disabilities and I would like this to be an opportunity to create interest and encourage members of the general public to come and view their work in an attempt to reduce barriers and increase their inclusion in society."
The exhibition will be open to the public from 9am till 3.30pm on both days with a small charge to cover entrance to the Hall.
Notes to editors:
- The University of York's Department of Health Sciences is a large multi-disciplinary department, offering a broad range of taught and research programmes in the health care field, including nursing. It aims to develop the role of scientific evidence in health and health care through high quality research, teaching and other forms of dissemination.