DaDaAwards Nominations 11
DASh
Disability Arts in Shropshire is a pioneering rural Disability Arts organisation formed in 1992. Its two main aims are:
* To promote and support Disabled Artists and Disabled People with an interest in the Arts
* To promote and support Disabled people as an Arts audience
Examples of our work include:
* Digital Now I and II 2003- 2006-developing regional disabled artists digital arts skills
* Ludlow Inclusive Carnival - The UK's only fully inclusive Carnival
* Borderlines Film Festival. Inclusion of work by Disabled Film makers and Disabled Actors in leading mainstream Rural Film Festival
With its experience of working with Disabled Artists, programming and promoting Disability Arts in a rural area, DASh has succeeded in developing a specialist role, which is unique in the West Midlands and beyond.
Prism Arts
Prism Arts exists to provide a creative experience for isolated and marginalised groups in Cumbria. The County is described as 'sparce' with a poor transport infrastructure and more sheep than people! Deaf and Disabled artists often work in isolation because existing networks are poor or non-existent. We have established D.Art to raise awareness about Disability Arts in Cumbria. Amongst other Countywide projects we have Starfish, a learning disabled theatre company; Spinning Yarns - a project for older people; Artsminded for people with mental health problems and Neptune, a project giving workshop delivery skills to learning-disabled participants.
Jo Barnes
I have been a prolific amateur photographer for about 5 years, and I've had two locally acclaimed exhibitions funded by NWDAF - DaDaDiva's at the World Museum Liverpool in 2005 and Body Icons, which is currently on display at the Zion Arts Centre, Manchester. My photography generally challenges perceptions of what is beautiful and the notion of 'normal'. Despite facing barriers throughout my education, due to the strength of my portfolio I am studying a Photography Degree at the University of East Anglia. I hope my artwork inspires other disabled and deaf people, making them feel tall and powerful.
Shelley Heath
I am passionate about creating art that is connected to life, art that exists outside the conventional gallery space. By appearing live I bring life back to obsolete places such as old buildings and neglected places
I put to work mundane, domestic articles e.g. utensils often overlooked or discarded. By giving them life I believe I am bestowing value upon them and at the same time empowering myself. I hope to articulate difficult feelings associated with my life experiences.
I take every opportunity presented to me to appear live. The advantage of performing live is that it forces me to take risks and to be adaptable. A performance succeeds when I feel I have engaged with the place, my props and with the audience.
