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Testimonials
innovative
interesting
boosted my confidence
changed my life
Ten years ago
I became the very first person to join Escape. I remember the day
well as I had such an enjoyable time trying out new things and even
being photographed by the local paper. I soon became a regular
member and rarely missed a week. I found the sessions so much fun
and always went home with a new and exciting piece of work. The
artists were so innovative and showed me so many new ideas and
techniques. As a mother of a disabled child I found that life could
sometimes be quite stressful.
Escape gave me an opportunity to
relax and have some fun. I have met a lot of very kind and very
interesting people through Escape over the last ten years.
When I first joined I had just
finished a degree in textiles and was wondering what work I would be
able to find in the future. I was soon given the opportunity to
teach some of the workshops at Escape and I found that this really
boosted my confidence and helped me to realise that I could work and
care for my son.
This time I spent at Escape gave
me the opportunity to rethink my future and I subsequently made the
decision to go back to college and retrain as a doctor. This was
something I’d always thought of being as a young child but had given
up on after having my own child at a very young age. I am now in my
final year at medical school and without Escape I may not have had
the courage and confidence to do this.
Thank you Escape!
I am also now the chair of the
trustees of Escape and am so proud that what started off as a small
group in Stratford has expanded and evolved to become what it is
today. Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make it what it
is. I know that it really changed my life and I am truly grateful.
Susanne
Aubon
strength
flair
achievement
something special
a delight
I felt very
honoured to be invited to
the opening of Escape’s 10th anniversary
‘Growth’ Exhibition at The Gallery in Stratford, in June 2007.
Having been involved with Escape
at its inception and during the early days, and having been kept
up-to-date with its progress over the years, I was aware that the
project had grown and taken great leaps forward over the last 10
years. I knew that it had helped many, many people and that it is
respected and encouraged by a good many statutory bodies & funders,
but I was not ready for what awaited me in the Gallery space, when I
arrived for the opening. In awe, I stood in the doorway. The
quality, diversity and body of work on display was inspiring and a
real uplifting joy to see. It made me realise what a strength and
flair and value Escape carries with it; both in its participants,
its guiding artists, and in its 3 workshop spaces. It was as I stood
on the threshold of such an array of talent and achievement that I
realised how much Escape had grown into something special, something
we dreamed of when we set up the initial 3 month pilot project ten
years ago.
Having worked in community arts
for a good many years I feel very proud to be able to say I was part
of Escape. It has blossomed and flourished, as have those involved
with it. It is clear that Escape’s worth and standing in the area is
a valuable asset. It has been, and can continue to be, of
significant help to people across the whole community. No barriers,
no questions, no judgements, simply quality artistic tuition in a
non-threatening environment, giving support and encouragement, and
most of all re-affirming the worth of each individual.
Escape is clearly a very
important part of the lives of those who use it, and I would suggest
that Escape should be truly valued, by those outside the
doors of its three successful workshops, and held up as a fine
example of what other areas of Britain could introduce to benefit
their communities.
It was a delight to see that the
initial vision, from 10 years ago, had been made a reality, and that
it has developed far beyond our early expectations.
Well done to you all.
Fondest regards,
Libby Thomas-Wright
Co-founder / There at the start (which ever you think
sounds less pompous!)
massive success
stunning superb
a great privilege
The Growth project
was a massive
success with absolutely stunning results. The comments and feedback
were superb at the private view. Being involved in the Growth
project was a great privilege and all the participants had a huge
sense of achievement.
It has been the one project I am
most proud of being involved in throughout my eight years of working
in Community Education as a visiting artist.
Ros Ingram
fantastic
magical
excellent
Thank you so much for the time
and effort you contributed to the Growth exhibition .
A fantastic, magical
environment evolved turning The Gallery into a visual feast. I have
never seen the space so well used, by so many. The community spirit
was very impressive and the practical workshops were excellent. The
Gallery became a thriving busy centre for local residents and
visitors, exactly how it should be used. Stratford-upon-Avon College
is proud to have hosted 'Growth' and looks forward to future links.
Wendy
Freeman
Community Arts Liaison
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