Photos credit Suffolk Artlink.

Adults with learning disabilities share their views in art events and exhibitions across Suffolk

Arts charity, Suffolk Artlink, are inviting you to a series of free protest arts events and exhibitions developed and performed by local artists with learning disabilities.

Taking place in Ipswich, Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, the events and exhibitions are the culmination of the arts charity’s bi-annual arts training course, JumpstART, which offers adults with learning disabilities the chance to enjoy an in-depth exploration of an art form.

This term, students across the three locations have been enjoying an introduction to protest arts, exploring ideas and issues that are significant to them through creative activities including printmaking, dance, music and film.  The events will showcase a variety of their work, and include a live protest art performance, exhibition and pop-up shop.

The student’s work will continue to be shown throughout the winter in exhibitions around the county.

Events & Exhibition schedule

Town Hall Galleries, Cornhill Ipswich, IP1 1DH

  • Event: Wednesday 13th December, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

Lowestoft Libary, Clapham Road South, Lowestoft, NR32 1DR

  • Event: Thursday 14th December, 1.30pm – 3.30pm

  • Exhibition: Thursday 14th December – Sunday 7th January

The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD

  • Event: Tuesday 19th December

  • Exhibition: Tuesday 12th December – Sunday 28th January

Fiona Taylor, JumpstART student, said: “It’s brilliant to all be here together, making friends, making art and having a voice!”

Fellow student, Wendy Rees, added: “This course has helped me to listen to other people’s opinions and do something about things that are wrong with the world.”

Charlie Meyer, Project Development Officer for Suffolk Artlink said: “Using art and creativity has long been used as a way to explore our views on important issues, and share them with others.

“We have really enjoyed exploring the protest arts movement with our students, helping them to explore issues that are important to them and find their voice to influence others. The event and exhibition promise to be inspiring, thought-provoking and joyful.”

The event and exhibition are free, no booking required.  For more information, please visit www.suffolkartlink.org.uk or contact Fran Speight at Suffolk Artlink, 01986 873955 / [email protected].

JumpstART! is an arts training course for people with learning disabilities. It offers students the chance to enjoy an in-depth exploration of an art form whilst developing creative and life skills. Students work alongside professional artists during 15-week art courses. Through artist-led sessions, trips to cultural venues and a final public celebration of their work, students learn new skills and gain confidence, friendships and wellbeing.

Courses run during spring/summer and autumn/winter in Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Ipswich and focus on a wide variety of art forms including illustration, dance, film-making, photography, music and visual arts.

Suffolk Artlink

Suffolk Artlink is a participatory arts charity. It develops and delivers inclusive arts programmes in communities that bring change to people’s lives. Suffolk Artlink work with people who face barriers to taking part in the arts including young people, older people, family carers and people with learning disabilities. Their arts activities are led by experienced arts practitioners, encompass a rich variety of art forms and are delivered within communities in close partnership with care, education, voluntary and community organisations.  www.suffolkartlink.org.uk