Linden Warburton: Artbeat

On his penultimate meeting as President, Scott Elliot welcomed members to last week's meeting especially Gale Willmer, London, a regular and welcome guest.

The speakers, Lesley Parris and Jacqui Bigwood, gave an excellent talk on the history of Artbeat and how it operates.  After starting 18 years ago Lesley joined in 2011 and Jacqui, a retired Head of School art teacher later.  About 70 clients attend each week in the premises of the former Youth Club in Havelock Street.  The clients all have challenges of varying degrees but Artbeat is non-judgemental and attendees seek and find their niche whether it is painting, drawing, writing or social relationship which helps them develop confidence.  They showed some magnificent examples of the work of clients which highlighted their considerable and varied talents.  The club raises funds in various ways along with seeking available grants to finance the operation.  The talk generated many questions which the speakers ably dealt with and Linden Warburton gave the vote of thanks for an excellent talk on a subject which few members knew anything about.