Oriel Dau / Gallery Two
Connect and Flourish
Preview: Friday 30th May, 7pm
Exhibition continues until 12th July, Gallery open Wednesday – Saturday 11am-7pm
Welcome to Connect and Flourish!
An exhibition celebrating neurodiverse creativity in Swansea. This exhibition marks the culmination of an 18-month Connect and Flourish project funded by the Arts Council of Wales.
Working with three amazing groups from across Swansea:
· ASDES – Autism, skills, development and support
· Gower College – Independent living skills department
· Shine Cymru – Life skills development service
The project created space for neurodiverse individuals to explore, create and collaborate across a range of art forms and to tell their own stories.
The journey in numbers
Over the course of the project:
· 55 creative sessions took place
· 56 participants took part
· Participants came from SA1 to SA5, with one joining from Neath.
· We welcomed – 16 females and 40 males aged between 17 and 34.
· More than 50% were visiting elysium gallery for the first time.
· After a 6-month taster phase, participants asked to continue, wanting to create something more lasting. A decision which shaped the rest of the journey.
Creative pathways
With guidance from 21 artists, participants explored 6 art forms:
· Animation and filmmaking
· Mask making and movement
· Music production and sound design
· Photography
· Scriptwriting
· Graffiti art
Each session was led by a professional artist alongside a neurodivergent supporting artist, ensuring inclusive and empowering experiences.
From practice to production:
The participants shaped every part of the final works.
· Wrote their own scripts
· Created sound effects and backdrops
· Designed and made masks
· Performed in and helped produce their films
Each groups finished film is the result of imagination, persistence, and collaboration – a creative achievement all can be proud of.
