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New Beginnings Art Awards 2021 ‘My Hidden Self’
New Beginnings Art Awards 2021
‘My Hidden Self’
All works are on display at The Lightbox in Woking between 20th October and 28th November 2021. To purchase any works please contact Sophie.Ridsdale-Smith@thelightbox.org.uk
Please cast your vote for the People’s Choice award by emailing: Newbeginnings.WomensSupportCentre@woking.gov.uk to tell us which piece you think should win and ... more >> Women’s Support Centre Surrey
New Beginnings Art Awards 2021
‘My Hidden Self’
All works are on display at The Lightbox in Woking between 20th October and 28th November 2021. To purchase any works please contact Sophie.Ridsdale-Smith@thelightbox.org.uk
Please cast your vote for the People’s Choice award by emailing: Newbeginnings.WomensSupportCentre@woking.gov.uk to tell us which piece you think should win and why. Thank you.
About the Project
The New Beginnings Art Awards is an annual art competition for women in Surrey. The competition is open to both women in the community, and those in any of the three women’s prisons in Surrey: HMP Send, HMP Bronzefield and HMP Downview. This year’s theme is ‘My Hidden Self’.
The Art Awards specifically focus on engaging with women who are affected by, or at risk of being affected by, the Criminal Justice System. It gives women the opportunity and space to embark on a therapeutic journey aimed at traveling towards positive decision making, sustainable change, and a sense of pride, empowerment, and achievement.
The project is aimed at supporting, encouraging, and motivating women to engage in honest and reflective communication, and expression of feelings via the pieces they create. It also inspires a commitment to complete the piece, and awards a sense of achievement and accomplishment. Furthermore, it gives women the opportunity to showcase their talent and receive feedback from both the community and the judges.
Staff and participants have worked hard during the Covid-19 pandemic to create virtual spaces for women to come together in Art Workshops to develop, visualise, and create their visions. Everyone involved in this year’s awards have been supported by wonderful local artists and have built relationships through a supportive and nurturing environment. These relationships, build on trust, support and unconditional positive regard can result in women engaging in other areas of support that the Women’s Support Centre is able to provide.
The group sessions have been a source of contact and belonging, especially during the on-going Covid-19 pandemic and accompanied isolation. The incredible and plentiful submissions this year have again evidenced the faith and drive that is still alive in the women that receive support from the WSC and the prisons.
The Art Awards has two categories: visual art and creative writing.
The Art Awards Scheme benefits from huge support from The Lightbox and Woking Borough Council as well as Watts Gallery and other inspirational local artists. Some works in the exhibition are for sale, with proceeds split between the artist and the Women’s Support Centre.
