There is something magical about making art. The process of conveying your emotions in a visual form and stepping into your creative self on a regular basis, helps you to feel stimulated with a sense of accomplishment.
The simple or more complex experiences that define who you are, in turn influence the art we make. There is never a right or wrong time to step into art making, be it drawing, painting, printmaking, ceramics or other, the time to begin is now, the only thing holding you back, is you?
The artists behind Artreach Studios, Colette Gambell and Kate Jerry have worked together on visual art projects since 2011, navigating a path that balances professional art practice, curating and managing an art gallery and instructing/teaching through creative art workshops. They both had a rigorous University learning environment, and honed their knowledge, artistic vision and developed a critical eye through fine art degrees. They have both worked in the arts for many years and have been instrumental in the creation and implementation of numerous community arts projects + festivals.
Both artists love to work across mediums and have an in depth knowledge of many different techniques, born out of a natural curiosity,
Foremost they teach process over outcome and have had clients ranging from confident artists to
Kate and Colette’s art workshop offerings are conveyed in beautiful presentations, well researched topics, themes, techniques and thoughtfully put together projects that deliver transformational experiences to participants. Their teaching methods have taken years to develop which they have broken down into simple steps that are designed to build confidence, Kate reveals,
‘expecting to get a perfect outcome right away, is not the object, it takes time to build skills and we must look to children, and their ability to delve into joyful art-making process, without worrying about the outcome. We believe in an all-encompassing approach to the visual arts and make it well-rounded, to include a little art history, art appreciation, art aesthetic, critique, celebration, connection and hands-on, mixed media art-making! Mediums include, exploration in painting, drawing, collage, assemblage, printmaking, 3D sculpture, up-cycled art, textiles, paper maché, ceramics, pottery & lots of d.i.y. artisan craft making! '
From the heart...
Kate and Colette have 9+ years of visual arts education experience and have taught hundreds of children and adults in their Atelier styled Gallery, at Isle Contemporary in the Isle of Man, in schools, museums, festivals and events. Colette goes on to say, 'we both know how lucky we are to have found creative practice. To be able to share such a powerful, therapeutic experience and to aid and participate in another's healing journey is a gift. It's something we feel passionately about, recognising the beauty of transformation within, of 'finding oneself', an enlightening rediscovery. No matter who you are, no matter your age or ability, when one takes a leap of faith, steps into this inspirational world, embraces it, engages with it and opens oneself up to possibility, that's when something magical occurs and we're privileged to be there to guide you.'
They are thrilled to be taking their creative branded art workshops online! Kate concludes, ‘We love to inspire as many as possible to develop creative confidence, and create a colourful environment as far and as wide as possible. The importance art has had to play in these horrific times of COVID-19 shows how we are turning to the arts… seeking creative outlets to
soothe our spirit, because most of us know the feeling of being moved by a work of art, whether it is a song, a play, a poem, a novel or a painting. Transported to a new place, we become aware of a feeling that may not be unfamiliar to us but which we did not actively focus on before.
This transformative experience is what art is constantly seeking.
One of our major responsibilities is to help people not only get to know and understand something with their minds but also to feel it emotionally and physically. By doing this, art can mitigate the numbing effect created by the glut of information we are faced with today, and motivate people to turn thinking into doing. Art also encourages us to cherish intuition and to accept uncertainty.