Pioneer case study: Hello Art

Hello Art is a pioneering venture by Emma Richardson in Cumbria, offering art sessions for wellbeing and wholeness. She tells us more…

by Emma Richardson

12 August 2024

I currently work in Cumbria as the pioneer enabler team leader for Carlisle diocese. We partner with CMS by offering the pioneer certificate and network in with CMS events, training opportunities and key people. I always value our working relationship.

Hello Art

Hello Art came about with the recognition that art and creativity are a great way for people to connect with a deeper sense of self.

It naturally connects with a different side of the brain that we perhaps engage with in our usual day to day – and therefore helps us to connect, explore and engage with feelings and emotions connected to self, others and the wider world around us.

I believe we need to nurture our whole body, mind, body and spirit and so Hello Art is committed to providing a space to do just this.

This project is open to anyone, no art experience or creative know-how is necessary. No religious affiliation or expressed faith is needed either.

World of creativity

Sessions can be tailored to be explicitly Christian if need be, but I believe that by opening up that deeper sense of awe and wonder, connecting with our deeper self and opening ourselves to the world of creativity, we have a great chance of meeting with creator God and so a spiritual journey may in fact begin in a natural and organic way.

However, my primary aim isn’t about bringing people to faith, though that would be a wonderful result. My focus is wholeness and wellbeing. This in itself I would say is intrinsically connected to faith, but that is all part of the journey and adventure.

Making a st-art

Because of my love of art, people, spirituality and hope for wholeness and wellness for all, I took a punt and put the project together by myself hoping to grow it alongside my current work role.

I run workshops face to face in locations around Cumbria, as well as one-to-one or small group sessions in my studio at home. I also host online workshops on Zoom.

Stumbling upon God

By connecting with everyday situations, life events and big questions in a safe, creative and supportive way, I believe people will not only learn some skills to manage the current situation, but they will have transferable skills to carry into other situations.

I believe that opening people up to self enquiry, a deeper sense of self, purpose, wellbeing, fullness of life – we cannot help but stumble upon God and what role the exploration of faith plays in our life journey.

It is unlikely to be identified as institutional religion, but I know the work of the Spirit is at play when we enter the world of creativity and deep exploration.

Please can you tell the story of at least one person/group who benefits from or participates in the project (an ‘end user’/client/community member etc) preferably in their own words:

What does Hello Art mean to people?

Here’s one piece of feedback from Kat in Manchester, who attended an online workshop focusing on menopause:

Last month I had the opportunity to attend a wonderful online menopause art workshop run by the lovely Emma.

Emma is so gentle and created a really supportive space for the group. I even received a package before class so I didn’t have to worry about getting the right tools of the trade for the session.

I became so engrossed in the process and was taken aback by how easy it was to paint once I made the first stroke. I didn’t anticipate how deep my connection to the process would take me and how powerful it would be creating an artistic representation of my womb.

Thank you Emma, it was a gorgeous experience and has helped me gain more confidence in using art for my wellbeing.

Follow Emma on Instagram

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