Blowing our own trumpet with 35th anniversary video

Arts for wellbeing charity Independent Arts is celebrating its 35th year of delivering inspirational arts projects to some of the Island’s most vulnerable people, with the launch of an anniversary video.

Since 1987, the charity has used the healing power of the arts to support people from age four to 104 with a range of conditions – from dementia, depression and anxiety, to Parkinson’s and long covid – in the community, schools and nursing homes.

Before the charity was registered as Independent Arts in 1987, it ran under the name ‘Blow your own trumpet!’, which is ironic for an organisation that has not always been good at putting  itself in the limelight.

“Independent Arts has used highly skilled professional artists to deliver inspirational creative workshops for 35 years. But for too much of that time it has been the ‘hidden gem’ of the islands charity scene,” says chief executive Lisa Gagliani. “Around 500 people benefit from our sessions each and every week and we want more people to know about it!”

The profile of the charity has increased considerably since its move to its Creative Hub on Newport High Street in 2020. The stunning window displays, inspirational exhibitions and various creative workshops that take place there – from singing to screen printing, sculpture to sound – have considerably enhanced the town centre over the past three years.

It is hoped that the video, produced by Island-based Nosy Creative Media, will make more people aware of the valuable services the charity provides. As chair of trustees Jacquie Heany says in the video: “I know myself, and the research tells us, that if you take some time to draw, to paint, to sing, to dance, it can just take your mind off all the difficulties you’ve got. And that hour, or two hours, can really benefit you through a whole week.”