A group of female artists up and down the country, have been using their free time during lock-down to create wall art, that will be donated to a Lincoln refuge for victims of domestic abuse.
EDAN Lincs, the charity which owns the 14 refuges, provides support and assistance to men, women and children who are living with or fleeing situations of domestic violence.
The Creative Freedom Project aims to brighten up the rooms in the refuges, and make them homely and comforting for people who need them.
The 30 artists met on a Facebook group ‘The Female Furniture Painters Club’ founded by Sam Clark, who immediately thought the project would be a great opportunity to showcase their talents.
Sam said: ” Many of the women in my group have creative gifts that extend beyond refinishing and up-cycling furniture to painting canvases and fine art. And we all recognise how important creativity is for our own mental health, so the Creative Freedom project is a perfect fit to give us focus, structure and positivity with a collective purpose at a time when it is most needed”
Lucy, the charity’s senior children and family support officer and fundraising coordinator, launched the project with Sam and Sarah Lamballe, owner of Bricktree Gallery in Caistor.
Lucy spoke about her desire to brighten up the newly decorated refuges just before the country went into lock-down, over fears that more people will be stuck in violent situations and need to flee to somewhere safe.
“We know how difficult this time will be for anyone living in a domestic abuse situation and there is predicted to be a much greater need for help and support from charities like EDAN Lincs due to the pandemic.
“Domestic abuse affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men so it is likely that lots of people within the group either know somebody who has suffered or has experience with abuse themselves so most people can relate…it makes the project very personal”
The artwork will be virtually exhibited in the coming months on Youtube, with plans to hold a physical exhibition at the Bricktree Gallery once it is safe to do so.