Vincents Art Workshop.
rNZ-National Interview with Glen McDonald: 14/08/16
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For almost quarter of a century Glen McDonald has championed artists you won't tend to find in fine art galleries. She's worked with hundreds of people who come to Vincents Art Workshop in Wellington to make art for free, from ceramics to painting. They tend to be called "outsider" or "naive" artists, though Glen rejects all attempts to slap a label the people she works with.Lynn Freeman talks to Glen about her 2016 Arts Access Accolade award for her life-long passion for creativity, community and inclusion.
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Glen McDonald receiving her Arts Access Accolade 2016 award from Deputy Mayor, Justin Lester.
For the last 31 years, Vincents Art Workshop (Vincents) has held a very special place in the hearts of Wellingtonians.
Vincents is an oasis of learning and creativity and has been a proven catalyst of healing and recovery for thousands of people who experience mental illness.
Vincents has a fantastic new studio, and provides access to art and craft facilities, skilled tuition and materials within a supportive, inclusive environment.
Glen McDonald has been involved with Vincents for over 23 years, and the Coordinator for the last 16 years. On August 10, 2016 at a function in Parliament Buildings, Glen was recognised with the Arts Access Accolade 2016 Award from Arts Access Aotearoa.
Vincents is an oasis of learning and creativity and has been a proven catalyst of healing and recovery for thousands of people who experience mental illness.
Vincents has a fantastic new studio, and provides access to art and craft facilities, skilled tuition and materials within a supportive, inclusive environment.
Glen McDonald has been involved with Vincents for over 23 years, and the Coordinator for the last 16 years. On August 10, 2016 at a function in Parliament Buildings, Glen was recognised with the Arts Access Accolade 2016 Award from Arts Access Aotearoa.
Decorations for Newtown Festival 'Year of the Monkey', 2015.
Set up as a community-based social service in 1985, Vincents was created in response to government policies of deinstitutionalisation of patients from psychiatric hospitals.
Vincents ran a mural project with prisoners at Arohata Women's Prison for two years and has managed a weekly art programme with patients in Te Whare o Matairangi, the Mental Health Unit at Wellington Hospital for the past eight years.
Vincents' impressive artist's gallery is open to the public during studio hours.
Glen wishes Vincents didn't have to exist.
"I'm really against silos and anything that isolates and stigmatises people with mental health issues into their own 'special' group.
"We believe in inclusion, not separation. That's what we're about and what I mean when I say Vincents is for everyone. Some of our attendees have mental health issues, some don't. That sense of acceptance and integration is beautiful to see. Any part of who you are is welcome at Vincents at any time."
2015 was one of the toughest years Glen has experienced in her role, but equally, the most fulfilling and affirming.
Vincents ran a mural project with prisoners at Arohata Women's Prison for two years and has managed a weekly art programme with patients in Te Whare o Matairangi, the Mental Health Unit at Wellington Hospital for the past eight years.
Vincents' impressive artist's gallery is open to the public during studio hours.
Glen wishes Vincents didn't have to exist.
"I'm really against silos and anything that isolates and stigmatises people with mental health issues into their own 'special' group.
"We believe in inclusion, not separation. That's what we're about and what I mean when I say Vincents is for everyone. Some of our attendees have mental health issues, some don't. That sense of acceptance and integration is beautiful to see. Any part of who you are is welcome at Vincents at any time."
2015 was one of the toughest years Glen has experienced in her role, but equally, the most fulfilling and affirming.
Sir Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop and
MP Grant Robertson at Vincents' 30th Anniversary party.
"We suddenly had to find new premises and funding was extremely hard to come by. But magic, amazing things have happened in the past year. As hard as last year was, it was also exciting. There's a tremendous amount of goodwill out there towards Vincents, and when the external funding that we needed wasn't there, that goodwill saved us."
Vincents moved into their new premises in the Willis Street Village in October 2015.
"We held our 30th Anniversary party in our new premises to celebrate. At the party, we were thrilled to to have Sir Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop open our General Group Exhibition. I had no idea, but Richard told me he had been an artist at Vincents in the early 1990's! Hundreds of people came, it was wonderful."
Vincents moved into their new premises in the Willis Street Village in October 2015.
"We held our 30th Anniversary party in our new premises to celebrate. At the party, we were thrilled to to have Sir Richard Taylor from Weta Workshop open our General Group Exhibition. I had no idea, but Richard told me he had been an artist at Vincents in the early 1990's! Hundreds of people came, it was wonderful."
Vincents artists hard at work.
Vincents are busier than they've ever been.
"Since 1 July 2015, through a 12-month contract with CCDHB, we have provided Peer Advocacy services for people under mental health and addiction services and have worked with three other organisations to research and develop a model of a best practice Peer Advocacy. This contract has recently been rolled over until the end of December 2016.
"We run a Women's Only Day every Thursday between 11 AM - 4 PM, as well as general, tutored and life-drawing workshops.
"We're looking forward to our new website going live too. It means we'll be able to showcase our artists work and their auctions in a much more meaningful way."
"Since 1 July 2015, through a 12-month contract with CCDHB, we have provided Peer Advocacy services for people under mental health and addiction services and have worked with three other organisations to research and develop a model of a best practice Peer Advocacy. This contract has recently been rolled over until the end of December 2016.
"We run a Women's Only Day every Thursday between 11 AM - 4 PM, as well as general, tutored and life-drawing workshops.
"We're looking forward to our new website going live too. It means we'll be able to showcase our artists work and their auctions in a much more meaningful way."
The 'Friends of Vincents' Shield.
Glen is passionate about more people becoming official 'Friends of Vincents'.
"People who make regular donations to Vincents - large or small - can choose to have their names added to the 'Friends of Vincents' shield.
"We currently have 33 regular donors who collectively donate about $15, 000 a year, and we would love to have more people connect with us and support our work in this way. Our new premises have come with a rent hike of $13, 800 + GST."
Through the creation of a positive and supportive environment, people have found their involvement with Vincents to be therapeutic.
Vincents believes that all people have a right to artistic and creative expression.
That everyone is creative in some way, and acceptance of the value of one's creativity is something to be nurtured.
"People who make regular donations to Vincents - large or small - can choose to have their names added to the 'Friends of Vincents' shield.
"We currently have 33 regular donors who collectively donate about $15, 000 a year, and we would love to have more people connect with us and support our work in this way. Our new premises have come with a rent hike of $13, 800 + GST."
Through the creation of a positive and supportive environment, people have found their involvement with Vincents to be therapeutic.
Vincents believes that all people have a right to artistic and creative expression.
That everyone is creative in some way, and acceptance of the value of one's creativity is something to be nurtured.
Find out more about vincents art workshop & how you can get involved.
become a 'friend of vincents'!
To find out how you can become a regular financial supporter, call Vincents on (04) 499 1030 or 027 407 5706 or send them an email.