Hello, my name is Chris Birdee-Wright and I moved to Frome, Somerset 4 years ago. What inspired me to move was the creative buzz and the anticipation of being with other creatives. The idea of sharing my passion for creativity with other artists uplifted me. And though the journey has been long this is a call for your help to make that sharing happen not just for me but for the Frome community and beyond. Let me tell you the story so far. It took a while to settle and integrate into the community of Frome. I worked full-time in Bristol and the commute added extra hours to my day which impacted the time and space for any creative outlet. Then the lockdowns happened, and whilst I worked from home and saw more of my family, my spirit felt squashed. There was still no room for my creativity to flow. As for many of us, lockdown took its toll. Everything began to affect my mental health and the weight of it became heavier and heavier. Whilst I sketched and doodled at home, I needed to get out and be in a studio space and with other people. In April 2024 I joined Bat Print Studio at the Silk Mill in Frome. Bliss! The studio became my Friday night sanctuary, a place where I could create and be with myself. Slowly but surely, my mental health improved. The studio and the other artists meant everything to me. Over the months, I learned new techniques, how to screen-print, shared ideas with other artists, became part of the community, and more importantly, found peace within myself. And then life threw another curve ball. In March 2024, the artists and I at Bat Print were told the doors to the Studio would close as the founder, was moving on to other ventures. My world felt as though it would fall apart without this sacred space. It was my one creative outlet as it was for all the other artists and children who attended workshops there. I couldn’t let it close! It meant too much to me and my well-being, my artist friends, and the children who came to regular classes. And so I began looking at the bigger picture. Art is well-being. Art is life. Art is a container for aspects of our inner lives. Art is medicine and a place to reflect the world outside of us too. As well as being a simple way to pass time and make our mark on the world (quite literally) Art offers the imagination a place to flow and create something meaningful. Art is fun. Art connects. Art is a form of relaxation. Art offers peace. Art is everywhere. A world without art would be a very dull place. I love Frome and I love art. And Frome loves art too. There had been discussions about setting up Frome Art School within the studio, but the timings, people, and enthusiasm had not been right, until now. I felt a strong calling to start the process - ambitious I know! I had many meetings and discussions with other artists, creatives, and parents about the potential of a thriving Art School in Frome. This gained momentum and Frome Art School was birthed. Creating an art school in the heart of Frome is an ambitious project that requires a lot of resources, including funding. And this is where you all come in. The money you help us raise will go towards developing a space with solid foundations within the town center, equipping it with the tools and materials needed to offer a wide range of creative workshops in various artistic fields. Our target is to raise £10,000. We want to ensure that the Frome Art School is accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation. We anticipate offering subsidized classes and workshops, together with scholarships for those who are unable to afford tuition fees. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn and create, and we want to ensure that our space is open and welcoming to all. Frome Art School has the potential to make a real difference in our community and we have plans to expand this vision further. Some great local artists are offering their expertise, and all we ask from you is to contribute financially and socially. Any donation large or small will make a difference. As will every share of our vision and our LFEBridge page. Share it with friends, family, and work colleagues. Share it with any organisation you think may be able to support our dream for Frome. Frome Art School is a place where creativity is recognized, expressed, and takes form, it is a hub that supports the health and well-being of others. Thank you for your contribution. With love and appreciation Chris
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