The Arts Society Corinium: Christmas Cards

See how a grant from The Arts Society helped The Arts Society Corinium develop Christmas Cards for their members alongside Creative & StarArts Department at National Star Ullenwood.

The Arts Society Corinium were delighted to work with the Creative & StarArts Department at National Star Ullenwood, a provider of specialist further education, training, personal development and residential services for people with physical and learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries. 

During May/June 2023, a group of 10 learners attended art classes at the specialist college and worked hard in a competition to design and produce Christmas cards in collaboration with The Arts Society Corinium, Cirencester.

The learners looked at different characters that they thought would suit a particular theme set by the College. They used a variety of paint techniques from stamping and stippling to stencilling to create an abundance of decorative papers that were then used to form different parts of their chosen characters and backgrounds.

Throughout this project, the learners, all adults with complex disabilities, developed their skills in planning, designing and time management. They used their listening skills and shared their ideas to create 10 beautiful designs from which two were chosen as winners by ASC in September together with the support of local artist, PJ Crook. The cards were printed in September and will be given to ASC members Christmas 2023 and 2024. Gift packs of the winning cards have now been presented to both students with their own names printed on them, a good reminder of their wonderful card design work at National Star. The other 8 design cards have now been donated to National Star for their own use.  

The Arts Society Corinium donated funds to National Star to cover the printing costs of two winning designs. However both ASC and National Star would like to thank the Arts Society Patricia Fay grant funding department for their wonderful gift of £750.00 to allow National Star Arts department to purchase and use all types of papers, paints, glues, glass raw materials and many more items over the coming year.

Written by Vivien Styles, Arts Co-Ordinator, Arts Society Corinium

Images: "Robin" by Scott Roberts and "Penguin" by Zak Williams