County Councillor Jordan Meade (Gravesend East) has awarded a £400 grant to the Gravesend Art Group to help tackle loneliness and support local residents whose mental health may has suffered as a result of the pandemic.
The Gravesend Art Group (GAG), who meet on a Friday evening at the Veterans Association Hall, Clarence Place, Gravesend, have used the grant to purchase 10 folding tables, which will allow the club’s membership to continue to meet in a Covid secure way.
Gravesend Art Group (GAG) prides itself on being an inclusive club for creative people of various abilities in the Gravesend area. Its members are able to express their individuality through many mediums and display their work to the wider public at our exhibitions. The club has been active in producing art throughout the lockdown, which has bolstered the mental wellbeing of members and allowed members to support each another through trying circumstances.
County Cllr Jordan Meade said “I am delighted to support the Gravesend Art Group with funding from KCC’s Local Recovery Fund. I have seen first-hand how this group has adapted throughout the pandemic to make sure that its members kept in touch and benefited from the wellbeing that such groups are able to bring. I hope that this grant will support help the club to expand so that more and more residents can share in the joy of art and that the Group may continue to brighten up our community with their impressive exhibitions and displays”
Paul Relf, Treasurer of the Gravesend Art Group said "Gravesend Art Group was very productive all through the lockdowns and I’m sure we all benefitted mentally being creative while we were confined. We shared our work among ourselves and encouraged each other, using the Zoom platform. Our drawings and paintings were shown on Facebook and at online exhibitions until we were able to meet once more. On reopening we have been busy holding several exhibitions around town and as a result have some attracted new members. The new individual tables provided by Councillor Jordan and KCC enables us to remain safely distanced through our meetings as group attendance increases. We are very grateful for the grant which has made this possible."
Gravesend Art Group was formed in 1959 and celebrated 60 years in 2019. They meet every Friday evening in the Veterans Association Hall, Clarence Place, Gravesend, from 7.00pm – 9.00pm.
More about the Group and how to join can be found here: http://www.gravesendartgroup.co.uk/infosheet.html