SA&T is two months old. Two Whole Months! To keep this SA&T site social art and therapy focused, I now have a blog www.leeasimmons.com for live archiving and sharing of things I have seen or heard that have had an impact on me and I want to acknowledge, as well as my own art (project) development.
The closure of KIDS company in the UK was a shock to the field of creative therapy this month. The staff were given 24 hours notice, despite providing therapy where endings need to be carefully worked with. A statement from the founder Camila Batmanghelidjh is on their homepage with more information, and this link www.londonyouth.org.uk/youth-services-signposting for other possible services to refer to. As one of their staff said, there are now a lot of children with nothing (to do) this summer.
Second Floor Studios and Arts (SFSA) in South East London, are commissioning me to deliver three work life balance sessions, I will take influence from two trainings I attended through the British Association of Art Therapists on Secondary Trauma and Resilience and working with organisations. The workshops will take place on 1st, 15th, and 30th September, 7.30pm-9.30pm, in the Education Space at SFSA. For more information and to book a place email studios@secondfloor.co.uk
Although there is pressure with formalising SA&T, it has been an enjoyable and fluid experience so far. It is primarily therapy I am providing through the company at present, from the art studio and with music firmly in the picture; but also being open to public and social art commissions. The social responsibility and theme of commissions will define whether I take them on as an artist in my own right, or produce them as a company output. Where there is a pre-determined external agenda for projects, such as raising awareness, developing a service provision, or altering a landscape (interior or exterior) in a defined way, it would likely be through SA&T. Fine Art based activities and my projects will remain under my own name, Lee Simmons, as a sole trader.
The company being Ltd means that if I want to take a political stance or share a strong opinion I can, but I aim to be as inclusive as possible.
The closure of KIDS company in the UK was a shock to the field of creative therapy this month. The staff were given 24 hours notice, despite providing therapy where endings need to be carefully worked with. A statement from the founder Camila Batmanghelidjh is on their homepage with more information, and this link www.londonyouth.org.uk/youth-services-signposting for other possible services to refer to. As one of their staff said, there are now a lot of children with nothing (to do) this summer.
Second Floor Studios and Arts (SFSA) in South East London, are commissioning me to deliver three work life balance sessions, I will take influence from two trainings I attended through the British Association of Art Therapists on Secondary Trauma and Resilience and working with organisations. The workshops will take place on 1st, 15th, and 30th September, 7.30pm-9.30pm, in the Education Space at SFSA. For more information and to book a place email studios@secondfloor.co.uk
Although there is pressure with formalising SA&T, it has been an enjoyable and fluid experience so far. It is primarily therapy I am providing through the company at present, from the art studio and with music firmly in the picture; but also being open to public and social art commissions. The social responsibility and theme of commissions will define whether I take them on as an artist in my own right, or produce them as a company output. Where there is a pre-determined external agenda for projects, such as raising awareness, developing a service provision, or altering a landscape (interior or exterior) in a defined way, it would likely be through SA&T. Fine Art based activities and my projects will remain under my own name, Lee Simmons, as a sole trader.
The company being Ltd means that if I want to take a political stance or share a strong opinion I can, but I aim to be as inclusive as possible.
