Exhibition displays art from four Fylde Coast community groups

Breaking Through: Unknown & Unseen is an initiative by The Arts Society Fylde to bring wider recognition to diverse and personal artwork and the people who create it. These artworks, which will be on show at the Solaris Centre in Blackpool during November 2018, are produced, often under unconventional or difficult circumstances, by artists within the local community, for pleasure, recreation or their own fulfilment.

Exhibits are drawn from four diverse community groups that provide help and support to people affected by some of the hurdles experienced in today’s society, but who have shown respond positively to an involvement with creative art activities. The groups are all situated in Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre. The four are The Harbour mental health hospital, HMP Kirkham, Stand Together and Recover (STAR), and The New Langdale.

The project initially got underway last year when The Arts Society Fylde was approached by Kirkham Prison to help with its Inside Art group and especially with getting the prisoners’ art on display in the wider community. However, the Society was aware that there were many other support groups on the Fylde Coast where clients are encouraged to get involved with creative art as a means of self-expression and after some discussion, an opportunity was identified to help others get their work on display.

Society member Tony Tackett, along with a number of volunteers, has been instrumental in getting the Solaris exhibition off the ground. He said: “A major role of The Arts Society Fylde is to ensure that we are part of the fabric of the Fylde Coast community and a positive force for the wider benefit of arts at local level. We do this by networking, supporting the local voluntary and community sector, and involving ourselves in worthwhile community activities. Therefore, the Society is delighted to have played a role in organising this exhibition, and providing an opportunity for those who create art in these circumstances, to display their works and be recognised for their artistic efforts.”

The exhibition will be formally opened at a preview on 8 November and thereafter will run 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday, from 9 to 28 November.

Caption: Tony Tackett with one of the hangings at the Solaris Centre

Below are some photos of this event.