Community art group run by volunteers

Every Thursday afternoon, you can hear the swooshing of paint brushes and sounds of laughter coming from the James Lewis Community Hub.

Inside you will find people drawing, painting and practising different crafts under the guidance of NPH resident, Gail Butcher. Gail started running the group with her good friend Marian and their husbands Mike and Bill to share their love of arts and crafts with the wider community.

The art class is open to all abilities and beginners are encouraged to come and try it. Gail and other local artists teach a range of techniques including charcoal, watercolour, surreal acrylics with Russ Smalley, pastels with Carol Oliver and traditional oils with Michael Juhasz. Materials are provided free, thanks to funding from Happy to Help (our Community Interest Company). It was important to Gail to make the class as inclusive as possible as she is personally aware of the mental health benefits of practising art and other creative projects.

Gail said: “After a long career working mostly with people with Cerebral Palsy, I retired to help Mike recover from a stroke. A stressful time for anyone, so I returned to painting and crafting which inspired me to help others. My dear friend Marian encouraged me to start a group as she wanted to improve her own artistic skills and so it all began.”

She believes the class is proving popular because it is a friendly, supportive environment. She enjoys seeing people who have never lifted a paintbrush before, create their first piece of art. One of the class regulars has started selling their work to raise money for charity – Kay Cushings gives her finished paintings to Barnardo’s in Weston Favell. So far, she has raised £1550 by auctioning the paintings online.

Another NPH resident Jenny Newport said she was encouraged to give the group a try. Gail and the class have been a lifeline for Jenny, who cares for her husband and struggles to leave the house. Jenny said: “I never dreamt I could do it [paint] but I absolutely love it…. It’s so important for me to get out and socialise.”

Jenny has made new friends since she started coming to the class and Gail has gifted Jenny with a portrait of her daughter Gemma, who sadly passed away 13 years ago. Jenny encourages other people to join in. She told us: “I absolutely recommend it and you don’t have to do painting because we do all arts and crafts here.”

The class is based at our James Lewis Court Community Hub every Thursday, between 1pm – 4pm. If you would like more information or to book your place, email Gail at mggirl1962@gmail.com or join the Facebook group ‘Arts & Crafts – James Lewis Court Northampton’