Major Arts Exhibition Comes to Bristol

A major arts exhibition featuring the work of people with learning difficulties and mental health needs will return to Bristol in October.

Organised by charities Aspects and Milestones Trust, in conjunction with Studio Upstairs, Expressions 2010 follows on last year’s event which attracted more than 1,500 visitors.

This year’s event places a special emphasis on making the arts accessible and interactive for everyone. As well as a major exhibition, there will be a ‘cardboard cinema’ showing original film and animation, a giant interactive puppet, a camera obscura, music, poetry and street art workshops, a theatrical fashion show, knitted sculpture, costumed photography and Tall Story writing. Entrance to all events is free of charge.

“Working towards such a high-profile event has focused creative energies right across the Trust,” said the Chief Executive of Aspects and Milestones Trust, Mel Akers. “Visitors will get the chance to express their own creativity, as well as viewing some of the amazing art created by the people our services support,” Many of the projects, such as the animations and photography, are the result of workshops that have been going on throughout the year.

“Expressions, for us, runs all year,” added the Trust’s Mental Health Lead, Alan Altoft. “We arrange for practicing artists to provide mentoring, and run workshops and longer projects, to develop people’s work and ambition. Our aim is to support individuals and groups to exhibit and be a part of Bristol’s thriving arts scene.”

Public opening times are:
Tuesday 5 October: 7.30pm-9.00pm (Theatre Fashion Show)
Wednesday 6-Friday 8 October: 11.00am-8.00pm
Saturday 9 October: 11.00am-3.00pm

For a full programme and booking details for the workshops, contact Heather Child on 0117 9709 300, or visit www.aspectsandmilestones.org.uk/expressions.html.

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

1.    Aspects and Milestones Trust is a top 300 registered charity which runs a wide range of health and social care services to support people with dementia; learning disabilities; and mental health needs. Our work includes specialist residential and nursing care; supported living; and elder and dementia care providing services to over 1,000 people living in the Greater Bristol area.

2.    Studio Upstairs, a registered charity, is a therapeutic arts community dedicated to the exploration of personal experience through the work of art. First and foremost it is an arts project, integrated with mental health and education.

3.    ‘Expressions 2010’ is being launched at an evening reception on Monday, 4th October 2010, 6.30 for 7pm. Tickets for the press are available on request.

4.    Details of last year’s event, ‘Expressions 2009’ can be found at www.aspectsandmilestones.org.uk/expressions2009.htm

5.    For more information or for images, please contact:

Heather Child
Communications and Marketing Manager
Aspects and Milestones Trust
Unit 10, Eclipse Office Park,
High Street,
Staple Hill,
Bristol,  BS16 5EL

Tel: 0117 9709 389
Email: heatherc@aspectsandmilestones.org.uk