Go with the flow event report
'Go with the Flow' September 21st October 12th 2007
"Fantastic Work, Fab Place, Beautiful People"
'Go with the Flow' was a three week exhibition & events programme aimed to present the work of Activ8 to a wider audience. The programme was managed through Activ8 & supported by local organisations Focus on Mental Health, Rethink Carers Support, Impact Workability, The Lions Club & the Muffin Club as well as being part of the acclaimed 'Coastal Currents' festival & receiving a grant from the National Lottery 'Awards For All' scheme.
Involving people who use Activ8 as a resource for art & creativity was key to the development of the exhibition & the additional creative sessions. We endeavoured to speak with, & encourage individuals to help with the ideas & planning as well as the installation of the artwork. Some groups who meet outside of the building such as the rural Rother activity groups & St Anne's day hospital provided some great material, & rose to the challenge of creating stunning displays throughout our building.
The events that were offered during the three weeks varied from holistic therapy, reiki, shiatsu & yoga to digital art, cartooning, creative writing & portrait workshops. We also ran sessions for family fun, self-employment & two evening art presentations; one on 'Creativity & Manic Depression' & the other on 'Van Gogh', both were full of insight & created opportunity for further discussion & the eating of wonderful food!
Attendance at sessions was variable throughout the exhibition but at least 350 people passed through our doors, & were given the opportunity to find out about Activ8, wellbeing, art & creativity.
Rethink organised a very successful 'carers event' with a speaker, & we made a special effort to encourage older people to visit & provided a lunch & transport to help people involved with St Annes to attend. This is seen as a first step to encouraging new people to engage with Activ8's activity programme.
We particularly managed to connect with the wider public through attendance at the two evening art talks which were held at 'Eat@', a local café that is inclusive, community focussed together with creating exciting healthy food. People unknown to Activ8 were keen to know more & took leaflets. A timely full page article in the 'Hastings Observer' created a tangible increase in the interest for our information also.
The impact of the exhibition on people who utilise us regularly was interesting. Some were greatly enthused and helped out a lot others disappeared to reappear later after it had all finished!
We were extremely pleased with the overall feel of the exhibition, and the smiles on people's faces as they left the building. It was a very positive experience for those previously unaware of Activ8.
These are just some of the comments we received:
"Inspiring & exciting work. A joy to look at & admire keep up this excellent work roll on the next exhibition"
"This place is amazing, I never knew it was here, many thanks"
"Your exhibition reaches the heart & mind"
"Hello, this is such an inspiration for me. Wonderful to see such a broad variety of skills & wonderful standard of work. A warm & friendly place to spend time."
"Lovely, full of life & stimulation. A delightful exhibition"
"Heart warming & courageous thanks to you all"
"Very impressive & thought provoking"
Click here to download the report from as a PDF file
Please note: it does say Aspex Design if you click on the photos, but that is who took the photos, all of the artwork itself is copyright of its original creators, NOT Aspex Design (apart from a couple of bits entered by Dean from Aspex Design!). Due to past confusions we just wanted to point that out.