On Saturday 31st August & Sunday 1st September the fabulous Back Quarter Art Collective put on an outdoor art exhibition fundraising event at the Bottoms Lane Art Garden in Chester. The Collective wanted to raise money for a mental health charity – and we were absolutely delighted when they approached us to say they were keen to support us.
Who are the Back Quarter Art Collective?
The Back Quarter Art Collective is a talented group of artists formed in 2020, with a mission to create a space where vibrant new art can be showcased in a laid-back, accessible, outdoor gallery setting. Based in Chester, the Collective is dedicated to supporting early-career artists from the region, giving them a space to share their work with the local community who they encourage to come along and enjoy the unique experience that an outdoor gallery has to offer.
An event to remember
The two-day event was a feast for the eyes and ears, offering a range of multimedia artworks for guests to enjoy. Sponsored by North-West Creative Health, the exhibition featured local painters, sculptors, and poets, all coming together to share their creative work and to help raise money for our charity.
The Lord Mayor of Chester even made a special appearance on Saturday to show her support for both the exhibition and our charity. It was such a boost to have her there, and her presence really highlighted the importance of events like this in bringing communities together and promoting good causes.
Each day of the exhibition kicked off with an official opening, co-hosted by Helen, the event organiser from Back Quarter Art Collective, and our very own CEO, Philippa Davies. Philippa shared some insights into our charity’s work and the difference that fundraising events like this can make to us. Attendees then enjoyed the rest of the afternoon listening to a number of poetry readings and browsing the fabulous artwork on display.
Art and mental health: a powerful combination
One of the highlights of the event was the involvement of our art therapists, Pam and Jen. Both were kind enough to join us over the weekend, with Pam attending on Saturday and Jen on Sunday, giving talks about the incredible work they do as art therapists. For those unfamiliar with art therapy, it’s a highly effective therapeutic approach that allows people to express themselves creatively, often when words alone aren’t enough. Through the use of art materials, clients can explore their emotions, experiences, and challenges in a safe, non-judgemental space.
Pam and Jen did an amazing job of explaining the many benefits of art therapy, not just for children but for people of all ages. They also gave demonstrations of some of the techniques they use in their sessions, showing attendees how art can be a powerful tool in the healing process. It was wonderful to see so many people engaging with them, asking questions, and learning about this creative form of therapy.
For some people, traditional talking therapies can feel a bit too intense, and art therapy offers an alternative that can be less overwhelming but just as impactful. It was brilliant to have the opportunity to shine a light on this important aspect of mental health care at the event.
A warm thank you to all
The event officially wrapped up at 5pm each day, but the Back Quarter Art Collective hosted a private social gathering for artists and stakeholders afterwards, which gave everyone involved a chance to relax and reflect on the weekend. It was a lovely way to round off what had been a very special weekend.
We’re over the moon to share that the Open Minds Charity Art Garden Fundraiser was a huge success! Across the two days, 162 guests came along to enjoy the exhibition and support our cause, helping us raise a whopping £1,197.75. We were absolutely blown away by the generosity of everyone who attended and donated, and we’re so grateful for the awareness we were able to raise about our charity in the local community.
The support didn’t end with the event itself either! Some of the artists who sold their work over the weekend were kind enough to donate a percentage of their sales to us, which was an unexpected and deeply appreciated gesture.
And finally...
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Back Quarter Art Collective, particularly to Helen and her husband Richard, for organising such a wonderful event. We’d also like to say a special thank you to the Lord Mayor of Chester for her kind words and continued support, and finally, to all the artists, poets, volunteers, and attendees who made the weekend such a success. Your generosity and enthusiasm mean the world to us.
Here’s to many more events like this, where art, community, and mental health come together in such a positive and uplifting way!
