FreshArt@ is an innovative partnership project that supports people with lived experience of serious mental health issues to create artwork in three Bath museums. FreshArt@ introduces participants (who are referred by NHS and community partners) to creativity and heritage in weekly art sessions.
FreshArt@ promotes positive wellbeing by enabling participants to connect with others, to learn something new and to take notice and get interested in heritage and art. The artwork created in the three museums has gone on to be displayed in various health care settings such as Hill View Lodge at The Royal United Hospital and Ward 4, a dementia assessment unit at St Martins Hospital. The new art work enlivens clinical settings for patients, staff and visitors.
Since 2016 Bath Preservation Trust, The Holburne Museum and The American Museum & Gardens have welcomed FreshArt@ participants to come and explore their collections and be inspired. Working in partnership has built important beneficial connections between health and social care services, museum settings and the arts.
For further practical information about when and where the group meets please click here – information about current Pathways to Wellbing groups.
For more information about FreshArt@, please watch this short video made in 2017 or click here.