Healthy Minds Apprentices calm gallery officially launched at Bradford’s Cartwright Hall

Article dated Wednesday Sep 6, 2023 at 11:45 AM

A new gallery display curated by local apprentices, had its official launch at Bradford Council’s Cartwright Hall Art Gallery at the end of August.

In September 2022, six Healthy Minds Apprentices made up of young people between 18 and 25 years olds from across the Bradford district began work to create a ‘calm gallery’ with a curator from the Bradford Council-run venue.

The brief was to use paintings from Bradford Council’s Museums and Gallery Service’s public art collection to design a relaxing, safe and calm space.

To decide on a theme, the apprentices each created their own gallery plans and presented their ideas to the group. The idea that they all had in common was nature.

The group worked with the curator to select paintings that feature natural scenes or that take colours from nature. The walls of the gallery have been painted sky blue and the space includes items from nature to bring the outside in.

The project included partners from Bradford District Museums & Galleries Service, All Star Ents and Healthy Minds Bradford and supported using public funding by Arts Council England.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We know that spending time in nature is important for maintaining good mental and physical health. There are also proven benefits from spending time in nature inspired areas indoors. Visitors are invited to spend a moment looking closely, escape their daily worries and listen to the specially crafted soundscape to offer visitors a moment of calm.”

The ‘calm gallery’ will be on show until December 2024.

For information about this gallery and exhibitions and activities at Bradford Museums and Galleries visit www.bradfordmuseums.org.uk

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