Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Projects
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Et Cetera Art Gallery and Studios
1a Darnley Road, London E9 6QH
Situated in the London Borough of Hackney, the project offers a training programme in art reproduction and Gallery management, including support for the development of individual original work.
Users find the gallery is a place where they can be accepted without pressure to participate, but with encouragement and support to do so when they are ready. The programme is responsive to their needs and encourages them to take as much responsibility in its management as they can comfortably handle. The studio environment provides a base for the members to gain art-based skills, motivation, confidence, and assertiveness.
The Et Cetera Gallery exhibits and sells the art created by members as well as renting the space to local artists and art students.
Art as Therapy
Our caring environment helps people gain new skills or develop ones that may have been impaired during the course of their illness. It provides challenges required for personality growth without being threatening so that confidence is gained.
Any item bought from the Gallery directly supports the artist and our long established local charity, specialising in providing care, training and rehabilitation for those in our community with psychiatric problems.
Activities
Members learn new techniques. No previous art experience is necessary. The Gallery is open for members to hold exhibitions or the space can be rented by other community groups or local artists interested in mental health issues. Guidance is offered in arranging exhibitions, meeting and greeting the public and negotiating sales. The Gallery Café offer training opportunities with NVQ qualifications in catering, hospitality and management. Other opportunities include participation in Internet classes and preparation for college courses.
An internet room is open for all members who wish to contact friends and loved ones, search for information and use the computer to scan and print work. Training is available on the use of the Internet and the rest of the equipment on hand in the IT suite.
Premises
The project is housed in the lower ground floor of our Darnley Road Day Centre. The premises are divided into two main exhibition rooms. There is also a café area with a small seating area where members and visitors can enjoy snacks, coffees and cakes. There is an industrial kitchen fully fitted for the provision of beverages and food for the café and for pre-views of exhibitions. There is a garden area where it is possible to relax and host sculptures' exhibitions during the summer months.
Inducement Payments
Members are encouraged to create and sell their art. Any sale of the art is awarded to the member and PRA receives a small commission for materials and overheads. These payments provide realistic motivation for those attending the unit.
Who would benefit from this environment?
- For those who make sufficient progress at a Day Centre, or who are referred to the unit after only a short period of hospitalisation, attendance at the Art Studios may be appropriate.
- In this unit members have the opportunity to participate in more art-based projects requiring greater skills than that of the Day Centre.
There are, inevitably, some people who are difficult to integrate into any group and who, reluctantly, we are unable to accept if we are to maintain a reassuring milieu for the rest.
This day centre is not appropriate for persons who present intractable problems of violence, alcoholism, drug abuse or arson, or have physical disabilities that require one-to-one attention.
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