The Good Shepherd is delighted to be staging another exhibition championing the power of art and community as a tool to help people through Recovery.

Exhibition at the NAC

‘Recovery is for Everyone’ will run at Newhampton Arts Centre from 13-26 September, during Recovery Month, featuring the varied work of people undergoing recovery from addiction, mental health challenges, homelessness and other experiences of trauma.

End of Exhibition event at Wolverhampton Art Gallery

The fortnight’s exhibition will then feature a fantastic finale as the Good Shepherd link up with S.U.I.T (Service User Involvement Team) to ‘take over’ Wolverhampton Art Gallery as part of their ‘Friday Lates’ on the evening of Friday, September 27th, screening two film premieres focusing on art and recovery alongside the art, spoken word and live music.

The September showpiece follows a programme of nine months of workshops with professional artists organised by the Good Shepherd at the Newhampton Arts Centre in partnership with SUIT, Recovery Near You, Wolverhampton 360 and the University of Wolverhampton.

These workshops, covering a huge variety of disciplines including illustration, digital and audio visual art, drawing and painting, ceramics/clay workshops, eco-art and the spoken word, have been made possible thanks to grant funding of £27,000 from Arts Council England.

A special Recovery magazine will be produced to be available during the month and at the exhibition, as well as a film, which will be trailed at the launch night before being shown in full at the Art Gallery event.

“The collaboration on this project, and the range of people who have engaged with us during different stages of their recovery journeys, has been nothing short of incredible,” says Kate Penman, Community Engagement Worker at the Good Shepherd who has overseen the ACE project.

“I think it is the most ambitious collaboration I have ever been involved in, but ultimately the most successful, with different agencies and artists – the whole community in fact – coming on board with such unyielding passion for the project.

“Art plays such an amazing role in people’s recovery journeys, and for them to be able to showcase their talents loudly and proudly, telling their stories and sharing their visions is an absolute delight.

“One of the participants who has a history of addiction has spoken about how being part of this project has been ‘empowering’, allowing them to process and heal and provide a positive outlet for self-discovery and growth.

“That is exactly how I feel, and we can only say a huge thank you to Arts Council England for believing that a charity supporting people experiencing homelessness could oversee such an affirming and life changing arts project – we can’t wait for the local community to be able to see it!” 

The programme of five-week workshops, now heading towards their conclusion, have been delivered as follows:

• Illustration with Charlotte Webb
• Digital art and audio visual art with Darryl Georgiou
• Drawing and painting with Hannah Boyd-McKee
• Ceramics/clay workshop with Helen Brown
• Eco-artist workshops with Jane Plowright
• Family workshops run by Wolverhampton 360
• Spoken word with Poets, Prattlers and Pandemonialists and Bones.

September’s event follows several successful Recovery-based exhibitions staged by the Good Shepherd in recent years, including at the former Light House Media Centre and at the Good Shepherd itself, as part of the British Art Show, in 2022.

“Our mission at the Good Shepherd is to end homelessness, support recovery and create pathways out of poverty,” says Good Shepherd CEO Tom Hayden.

“As part of that, we are extremely passionate about creating environments where people can flourish and supporting projects and initiatives that help people to recover.

“If ever there was a project to epitomise these aims, then is it this fantastic Art exhibition, and Recovery Month offers an opportunity to shine a light on what it means to recover and recognising the strengths and bravery of people who are in Recovery.

“I was fortunate to attend a session of one of the workshops, and, as soon as I walked through the door, I could feel the excitement and creativity bubbling away in the room.

“People from all walks of life, and at different stages of their Recovery, had come together to share their love of art and to support each other through the challenges of their respective journeys.

“It is an inspiring project which is a huge credit to Kate and all involved, and I would encourage anyone who is interested to make sure they take some time to visit the exhibition where I am sure that they too, will be inspired.”

‘Recovery is for Everyone’ launches from 6pm-9pm at Newhampton Arts Centre on Friday, September 13th and will then be open every day up to and including September 26th (precise opening hours to follow closer to the launch).

The takeover at Wolverhampton Art Gallery runs from 6pm-9pm on Friday, September 27th.

Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Recovery Month is a time to celebrate and support those who are in recovery from substance use disorders and mental health conditions. It’s a chance to raise awareness about the importance of treatment and the positive impact recovery can have on people’s lives.

A Bit of History:

• Started in 1989: National Recovery Month began in 1989 as a way to honour the work of addiction professionals and to raise awareness about the importance of treatment.

• Focus on Recovery: Over the years, the focus shifted from treatment to recovery, recognising the strength and resilience of individuals who have overcome addiction.

• Growing Awareness: Today, Recovery Month is a widely recognised event that helps to break down stigma and encourage people to seek help.