Referrals
Since 2014, New Art Studio has consistently provided a safe space for our studio members to engage in expression, solidarity, and validation. We aim to break down prejudices and stereotypes while fostering creativity and wellness.
We run a therapeutic art support group on Wednesdays during term time from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM, facilitated by two art psychotherapists, a volunteer, and an art therapy student. Our weekly art therapy group follows a slow-open model, allowing studio members to join and leave at different times while addressing mental health and social issues associated with trauma, isolation, poverty, and violence based on race, religion, sexuality, gender, and political conflicts.
Referral process
Please review the criteria on our referral form to see if our services align with your needs.
We accept referrals from organisations and self-referrals – No experience of art making is necessary to join the group.
To apply, please click the link to download the form and email it to: info@newartstudio.co.uk
Once we receive your completed form, the directors will review it in confidence and contact you to arrange an informal phone call. If we agree that our group can support your needs, we will invite you to meet our team, either in person or via an online meeting.
During our first meeting, you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the group and service, review the referral form together, see the studio space and facilities, and agree on a date for you to attend the group for a first session. You can stay for as long or as little time as you feel comfortable.
If you decide to continue and the group feels right for you, we will invite you to attend three additional sessions. Then we can have another conversation to discuss your experience with the group. If we are in agreement that the group is supporting you in your recovery, you will be invited to join the group and encouraged to engage with it in full capacity by attending weekly.
The maximum stay in the art therapeutic group on Wednesdays is up to three years. After this period, there is the possibility of joining a peer-led support group as a follow-on service. This transition is a newly developed service honouring studio members with lived experiences towards empowerment, autonomy, and leadership within the community.
We look forward to the opportunity to support you on your journey. Thank you for considering our program.
“This is not just an art studio. It’s a shelter where I can express myself.”
New Art Studio has members from Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China, Chechnya, Georgia, Tanzania, Egypt, Ukraine, Turkey, Algeria, Syria, Honduras and many more. Many have never made art before, while some have been prosecuted because of their art.
Members can explore their traumatic experiences through art-making in a safe, non-judgemental and non-directive way. Art is a great leveller, taking us to our dreams and our nightmares, and at the studio we all travel that journey together.
Art-making and exhibiting transcend language barriers through visual communication and give direct access to feelings, acceptance and healing. Asylum seekers and refugees can feel their experience is not valued in our wider society. Exhibiting art can offer our members a visual voice, and is a chance to be seen, understood and respected.
We are grateful for the generosity of all our supporters. Please feel free to contact us if you would like to buy artworks, join our mailing list, make a donation or fund our project.
“New Art Studio is freedom for me. When I joined I was very broken, but the studio helped me to become whole again”
