Participants Horace and Barry will be talking about their work, which will be shown at The Lowry, Salford Quays from Friday 8th April.

Layered showcases the brilliant artwork that our very talented participants created throughout 2010.

click on the link below to listen live…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_manchester/watchlive

Free half term workshops

We’re starting lots of workshops around Manchester, which you can be a part of!

In Sale, we’ll be at St Giles Lodge on Wednesdays 10 – 12 noon and Fridays 1-3pm

We’ll be in Old Trafford at the Library on Wednesdays 1-3pm and Thursdays 10 – 12 noon

We’ve joined forces with Manchester People First to deliver lots of art workshops in the next few weeks…

Wythenshawe workshops begin on the 28th and will be every Friday 10-12 noon.

Every Thursday at 10-12 noon we’ll be in Cheetham Hill.

To find out more about joining in, call us on 0161 232 1223 or email info@venturearts.org

See you there!

The workshops are free of charge and if you know someone who is under the age of 19, likes arts and crafts and lives in Manchester tell them to get in touch.

We have only 10 places available on each workshop  so do hurry to avoid disappointment.

People can get in touch with us on: 0161 232 1223, or email katherine@venturearts.org or go direct to the Aiming High Helpdesk on 0161 229 2672

Bored? On the Phone? Don’t throw those doodles in the bin!

Venture Arts is launching ‘Doodlebug’, a project to gather doodles from celebrities for an auction.

By drawing a quick doodle for us to auction, people who have a learning disability in Manchester can take part in meaningful, creative opportunities which otherwise they would be unable to, produce really good artwork and show it off in high profile venues.

The doodle can be of anything – from a quick squiggle to a masterpiece!

Please contact rachel@venturearts.org for more information.

Performing a brillant set of his songs (including dance moves!), Gideon entertained everyone.

A big thank you to Gideon!

Be sure to check out his songs by clicking here.

Held at Manchester People First in Cheetham Hill, the day saw information stands from organisations from across the city which offer services to people with learning disabilities.

Venture Arts held a ceramics workshop on our stand, giving people the opportunity to try out what we do at our arts and crafts workshops.

The new initiative, organised by Manchester City Council and United Response, aims to discover which businesses in the city sell fairtrade goods.

Volunteers who have learning disabilities will be Fairtrade Detectives- visiting shops, cafes and restaurants to seek out where fairtrade goods can be found and then the evidence will be produced online for shoppers. Volunteers will learn invaluable skills which will help them in their future careers.

United Response approached Venture Arts to enter a design for the scheme. Logos were entered from across Manchester but  it was the logo by John that was chosen as the winner!

‘Fairtrade Detectives’ was launched at Nexus Art Cafe on the 20th July. John, Alena (Artist Tutor) and Amanda (Venture Arts’ Manager) attended the event where John’s logo was revealed. Well Done John!

Over the last few weeks, three local schools have collaborated in a project to produce artwork inspired by books.

The workshops were led by Venture Arts and assisted by Learning Mentors who have a learning disability.

The finished artwork was displayed at Zion Arts Centre from 13th -18th July. The Private View on the 13th was a fantastic event; the children who were involved, the learning mentors and Venture Arts all got together to celebrate the project.

The schools involved in the project were St John Vianney RC High School, Rolls Crescent Primary School and St Wilfrid’s RC Primary School.