A new exhibition will open at NERAM today, showcasing the art from members of The Ascent Group, an organisation that supports adults and young people living with disability.

Lucy McCann has been an art facilitator to The Ascent Group participants at NERAM for more than four years but says her mostly non-verbal students teach her more about life than she could ever teach them.

“They are always so happy to be here,” said Lucy.

“I just love helping them create and I can see on their faces how much they love coming to their art classes. I love seeing where I can take them on their art journey and push their abilities. Some of them are incredibly talented.”

The Ascent Group has been running art classes in NERAM’s Packsaddle Studio for more than 15 years and this week, current participants will be showcasing their creative works in a new exhibition Outside Our Doors that opens today, Friday May 9, at 6pm.

“The participants enjoyed gathering material, looking at things, taking photos from the
surrounding area,” said Lucy.

“They worked first in their journals, and continued to learn frottage, printing, repeating patterns, and collage, to achieve the wonderful results that you see hanging.”

“These art lessons are so good for the participants. They just love to go outside and look at nature and then bring that inspiration back into the art room.”

“Our classes are not about making perfect art; it’s about giving participants a chance to try art and enjoy it. We have all had so much fun and we hope that visitors enjoy their creativity as much as the joy we have been seeing on their faces making these artworks.”

Ascent, who has a proud 60-year history of providing disability services across New England, use Packsaddle three days a week, with 14 participants and their carers taking part in the art classes.

“The long-standing partnership we have had with Ascent has and continues to be a vital part of NERAM’s Creative Learning initiative, which aims to provide life-long learning opportunities for our community,” said NERAM Director Rachael Parsons.

“Art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and communication for everyone, but especially people with disabilities and we are thrilled that NERAM can provide a space for this wonderful program.”

“This exhibition is a celebration of the participants’ creativity and world view and of the important service that the Ascent Group provides.”

Outside Our Doors – Ascent Group exhibition will open May 9 at 6pm and run until June 8.