Creativity 1695

by Sarah Palmer

Creativity 1695, “ Where Fantasy Becomes Reality”, is a unique Art Project that was created by Vanessa Joseph in June 2013. She was inspired to start the one-of-a-kind facilitated learning experience following significant difficulty locating an appropriate day centre for her foster sons, who have autism. Vanessa could not find a suitable service in Haringey that could accommodate for their additional needs, so started her own which ever since has been
allowing adults with disabilities to thrive in a creative and safe environment.
The project offers a multi-faceted learning experience which support students’ development and freedom of expression through the creation of art and explores a variety of artistic approaches that allow participants to foster an overall
appreciation for creativity.

The project Founder, Vanessa Joseph, understands the wide-ranging effect of Autism and has developed sessions tailored to each individual artist’s talent and interest. The artists enjoy interacting, and can reach their creative potential while sharing ideas and techniques, culminating in the students being able to display remarkable talent while learning how to work independently and as part of a team.

The Creativity 1695 art project fundamentally helps to build confidence in its students with additional needs, by offering support and motivation while being facilitated by art teachers, carers and parents with an aptitude for working with Autistic individuals. Due to each person’s specialism and wide variety of knowledge, the project has been successful in seeing positive change in each student through their creation of visual art.

All facilitators provide creative challenges by offering participants the choice to work with textiles, to make jewelry, and to draw or paint. Creativity 1695 also encourages appreciation for their artists’ talents, who have seen their work exhibited at Bruce Castle 639 Enterprise Centre and San Francisco Four Seasons Hotel 2014/17, while they have also been given opportunities to attend workshops at the Saatchi Gallery