In a state to create:Westminster art workshops for adults with disabilities

Welcome to 'In a state to create'. Art Workshops for adults 16+ with diverse-abilities and their carers in Westminster!

In a State to Create - about the workshops

Brought to you by Encouragement Through the Arts and Talking (ETAT) a Pimlico based charity supporting adults facing isolation and loneliness.

In a State to Create, hosted by Tate Britain with the support of WCC, invites residents in Westminster - regardless of their emotional or mental state - to channel their thoughts and feelings into meaningful, cathartic art-making. The workshops focus on developing creative skills, fostering self-expression, and strengthening social connections.

Who are they for?

These sessions are adapted to be enjoyed by adults 16+ with diverse abilities and your carers. Welcoming people from different communities and backgrounds within South Westminster to unite and make art together.

What is diverse ability? Diverse ability, or Diversability, refers to a positive and empowering way of viewing the spectrum of human abilities, emphasizing that everyone possesses different capabilities rather than focusing on disabilities. It highlights that cognitive, physical, learning, sensory and mental illness differences are unique forms of ability, not deficits, and that these diverse abilities enrich individuals and society. The term promotes inclusion by valuing all forms of capability and shifting the focus from limitations to strengths.

We will cover a variety of mediums and techniques, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. Meet new people, grow in confidence through self-expression and experimentation, and have a great time exploring your creative side. No experience necessary - just bring your enthusiasm and willingness to have fun!

Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to connect with others in the community and create something beautiful together. Join us at Tate Britain and let's get creative....

Workshop time and dates:

Adults 16+ with diverse abilities and their carers, 13:30 - 15:00 on Mondays

Sign up to one of four, 6 week long terms on Monday afternoons13:30 - 15:00 (maximum two term sign-ups per person). Please arrive 10 minutes before the workshop starts to allow time to find the Clore Studio and to settle in.

The last Monday of each term will be a Celebration Day with two sessions to pick from to attend:11AM - 1PM or 3 - 5PM. This time is dedicated to bringing all the different workshop groups together to share and discuss artworks made that term, play games and make a collaborative art piece.

Term 1 : The Senses (Mondays 13:30 - 15:00 // 6 Oct - 10 Nov)

• This series will explore how we can interpret and use sound, sight, smell, taste and touch in art. Calling on memories, using lots of colour and unusual materials, playing with the space around us and engaging in discussions. These sessions, made up of short and longer tasks, will encourage us to open up to new and unusual ways of thinking, seeing and making. No experience needed, come as you are!

Term 2 : Dreaming (Mondays 13:30 - 15:00 // 17 Nov - 15 Dec)

• In our term looking at dreaming, we will examine how we might visualise dreams, nightmares, hopes and the distorted ways of seeing things around us. We will be using experimental techniques such as cyanotypes and other forms of printmaking, projector/scanner art, dreamcatchers, surrealist inspired collage and more.

Term 3 : Nostaligia (Mondays 13:30 - 15:00 // 5 Jan - 9 Feb)

• We will explore the theme of Nostalgia through personal and collective stories. Making artworks based on our attachment to objects, to places, people, to history. We will create made up stories for discarded objects on The Thames riverbanks, make art from rubbish, up-cyling items and also make miniature homes in the form of nests along the way...oh and play a lot of ‘nostalgic’ music a long the way...join us for this exploration!

Term 4 : Me (Mondays 13:30 - 15:00 // 16 Feb - 23 Mar)

• Me, Me, ME! This final term will explore the self and how we can represent different aspects of ourselves through art-making. Self-portraits in the form of experimental drawings and paintings, unusual poses, facial expressions, drawing ‘character’, loving our hands, the moving body and more. This term is about really looking and appreciating ourselves by challenging the way we see ourselves and the way others perceive us.

Accessibility: Location & Directions

The workshops will take place in Tate Britain's Clore Studio located on the first floor at the back of the gallery.

A map is attached with arrowed directions, but please ask a member staff for directions if you get lost and they will show you to the space.

Use Tate Britain's step free access: Enter through the Manton entrance (at the side of Tate Britain) located on Atterbury street. Once you have had your bag checked by security, a volunteer from the workshops will be there to great you. Turn left and use the stairs or the lift to access the first floor. Go past the walk art with black beading and go across the main gallery space (with the large sculptures of figures) to the left back corner of the space. Walk through the entrance way and you will see a sign for the workshops and Clore Studio on the left.

Toilets: There are no toilets on the first floor, toilets are located downstairs behind the cloakroom.

What to bring

There will be a small offering of refreshents, but please bring any food and drink with you that you would like. Please bring hot drinks in travel flasks with proper lids as no open food or drink is allowed in the gallery and it will be taken from you at bag check.

Some workshops may be messy. We will provide aprons and gloves but please wear clothes you don't mind getting messy and comfortable shoes.

*If you need a carer or one-to-one to support you, you must bring them. We have ensured there is enough room for everyone attending to bring a one-to-one and have fun!

Children safety in the space / Behaviour zero tollerance policy

**Please note, while we encourage parents/guardians to bring their children, these workshops are designed for adults 16+. Children must be supervised at all times and parents/guardians are responsible for their safety and wellbeing during the session.

***Our priority is to we create a safe and respectful environment for everyone in our workshops. We have a zero tolerance policy towards abusive and inappropriate language and behaviour and bullying towards staff, volunteers and participants. Any behaviour decided to be dangerous by the Workshop leaders will not be tolerated and will be met with immediate removal from the workshops.