Free Medicine

Our young persons’ art project, ‘Free Medicine’, which began back in July 2018, has had a hugely successfully year enabling Disabled young people in Shropshire to participate in accessible and inclusive arts workshops.

The participants have developed their creative skills through ongoing mentoring and support. Participants have also reported growth in soft skills such as confidence, communication and improvement in mental well-being.

Our young artists had a busy summer 2019 working in the studio at Participate Contemporary Artspace in Shrewsbury. A group of 9 have explored their artistic specialisms, identified over the last year they have been working with the project and each has received mentoring in their own area of creative practice.

Specialisms including drawing, textiles and embroidery have been developed in the studio and the results of this time spent exploring was evident at their Free Medicine September Exhibition in Shrewsbury at the Visual Arts Network.

Most recently, in the event of the pandemic, DASH have been able to support young artists with the provision of art packs; helping them with their mental wellbeing as well as encouraging artistic development and confidence during lockdown.

If you would like to find out more, or think you or someone you know might be interested in becoming part of DASH's Young Artists Programming, please contact DASH and sign up to the DASH newsletter for regular updates and opportunities.

“This is more support than I’ve ever been given at college, it’s great to know I can actually talk to someone about my films and animations and get advice”

“I have never been away from my Mom before – we are always together. These workshops have helped to build my confidence.”