Artist raising £500 towards creative art sessions for teenagers

A local artist is aiming to raise £500 for materials to hold creative sessions for older children and teenagers at Castleton library.

Dani Burke, of the Studio Artisan, is looking to run free voluntary sessions for struggling 11-17-year-olds who wish to express themselves creatively through art.

Dani already runs similar sessions for adults at Touchstones and the Mind Wellbeing Centre on Drake Street after benefiting from using art as a therapeutic output herself after her father died.

Unable to sleep and battling depression, Dani dug out some blank canvases and picked up her paints, later going on to set up her own successful abstract art business during lockdown.

 

Read more: Free creativity sessions at Rochdale and District MindPublished: 26 February 2022
Free women’s art therapy sessions at TouchstonesPublished: 08 December 2021

 

Having secured a venue, time and day for the teenagers’ sessions, Dani already has a waiting list of eager participants ready, but is lacking the materials to make the sessions happen.

She is hoping to raise £500 for materials and has already raised more than half of this in just a few days.

 

 

Dani said: “I am doing these classes on a voluntary basis because so many people have reached out to me and asked if I do anything for teenagers who are struggling and want to express themselves through art. I researched and found nothing in Rochdale for teenagers, so I decided to run one myself.

“Because I’m just a local woman trying to help and not a registered charity, I get refused funding. I’ve also reached out to many local businesses and been told they can’t donate art materials, so my only hope is a GoFundMe campaign.”

“Once we’ve got the £500, sessions can start,” she added. “These kids need this. Many of our teenagers struggle with anxiety, depression, and a lack of confidence, some are suffering due to bullying and the pressures of modern-day life. Creative therapy is so beneficial for this. I want to offer a safe positive space for teenagers, to help them and encourage them to get creative.”

The sessions will provisionally take place on Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. If you or someone you know would be interested in attending, please message Dani via Facebook.

Donations can be made online via GoFundMe.