Artwork boost for homeless
HOMELESS people in Banbury have benefited from an artwork project funded by a £4,980 grant.
Visitors to the Beacon Centre at St Mary’s Centre in Horse Fair created the 5ft x 6ft textile banner after a successful application to Lottery- fund group Awards For All. It is made up of 32 small squares, each illustrating what Banbury and the centre mean to the individual.
Beacon Centre co-ordinator Nigel Deakin said it was a fantastic achievement. "This project gave people who come to the centre an opportunity to achieve something by expressing themselves artistically. "It was all about making people feel welcome and valued in a way they don’t in other places."
Voluntary and community groups can apply for a donations of up to £10,000 from Awards For All by filling out an online application. Applicants are required to specify how the money will be spent before an officer decides whether to grant it.Awards For All spokesman Lilian Prodromou said it was a very positive project and added: "This allowed isolated people in society to attend textile art sessions that will have had a therapeutic affect. "The result is a long banner that will give the individual a boost of self-esteem."
Most of the grant (£3,200) paid for seven months of workshop sessions with professional artist Moira McCarthy and the rest went on materials, publicity, venue hire and associated costs. A display board illustrating the progress of the project was also bought. In a Banbury Guardian survey some people thought it was a lot of money to spend on a banner. Bianca Dumitru, who sells the Big Issue magazine, which supports homeless people, added: "It is a lot of money for just a banner."
The Beacon banner will be exhibited at St Mary's Church from April 23 until May 6, 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday and 12.30pm-4pm on Sundays.
