Group draws on lottery cash (From Penarth Times)

Group draws on lottery cash

ART has been given a boost in Penarth with a substantial lottery grant.

Penarth Community Art Project was set up by Ruth Fielding in March 2001.

It is a charity project and needs funding to exist. The £5,000 lottery grant will help it to carry on.

Its aim in Penarth is to get people and children involved in art at some level.

Ruth said: "I think art should be accessible to everyone and that is why I set this community scheme up.

There is not enough provision made for artistic expression in Penarth. I want my children to feel they can be creative."

She added that art is not just drawing which is most people's preconception.

Ruth continued: "I think creativity has many levels including music and writing.

"Everyone has some kind of talent.

Even if it is not drawing they could be good at music.

"Take for instance modern art today. I think it has a place in society.

Not everyone agrees with it but if someone somewhere gets pleasure from it, it has to be good."

Many other people contributed to the scheme, such as Lloyds TSB foundation, St Augustine's Church and Albert Road Church.

Penarth Town Council and baby and toddlers support group also helped.

At school Ruth was not top of her class in art but she is now a fine artist by trade.

There are lantern workshops which can be attended at the Kymin, Penarth, on Saturday, November 23 and 30, at 10.45am to 1pm and 1.45pm to 4pm each day.

This is part of the winter lantern festival and there are also samba-drumming sessions to be held on the same days as above but at Albert Road Methodist Church.

Sessions are £1.50 and run from 2pm to 4pm. All abilities are welcome.

There will also be a procession of lanterns and other winter activities on Saturday, December 7, at the Kymin in Penarth from 1pm to 6pm.

So far more than 50 lanterns have been made for the event.