Art is affirming

Elaine Millin is our beloved Art Process Facilitator for Big Issue vendors. You may already be familiar with her vendor art page in each edition. Elaine explains her methods for inspiring the artist in each person.

WORDS AND IMAGES: ELAINE MILLIN

The vendor art programme supports social development at The Big Issue. The healing and transformative aspects of art and colour develop confidence and reveal new talent and skill.

VENDOR ART ISN’T SKILLS DEPENDENT

I conduct one art session a month for our Big Issue vendors before the monthly vendor meeting. All development and training happens on this one morning due to the financial costs of time away for vendors from their pitch. The vendors are invited to join in and create, and they arrive from 8.30am until 9.30am before the general meeting begins at 10am. Art sessions must be contained in one process so works can be completed, and as attendance is erratic, each exercise allows for exploration. This is focused on working from inner experience and is not skills dependent.

THERAPEUTIC AND NON JUDGEMENTAL

Some people have never produced any art at all, while others may have made some at primary school. Thus the non- judgemental approach works. In this way it’s more therapeutic rather than competitive, and builds confidence and self-esteem, validating the efforts of all who attend. All vendors are encouraged to participate –no experience is required.

THEMES

Each session has a theme and exercise but it’s open for each to explore in their own way. Artwork and photographs provide visual stimulation for each theme giving inspiration and a stimulus for each to use their own imagination. Giving a title to the work often gives meaning to the process. Themes such as ‘Water – what place can you imagine where you are nourished by water?’ work well and are deeply therapeutic.

ART FACILITATION

Bridging Polarities through Art is a form of guided art facilitation that creates the space for quiet reflection and deepening of self-awareness, insight and transformation. The emphasis is on the process and no art experience is necessary. People are free to explore and create without fear of criticism, building confidence, self- esteem, creativity and skills. The gentle yet powerful transformative qualities of process art underpin the way of facilitation at The Big Issue.