Free Fun and Frolics

Hey, don’t forget that this Sunday (25th October) we’re holding a right swanky BIG DRAW event here at the Arts Centre. The proceedings kick off on the chimes of one o clock with amazing artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis leading drawing sessions where you, your kids, your friends, neighbours and families are warmly invited to browse a dazzling array of animals from the exquisite kingfisher through to a deer, butterflies to fox cubs and to draw what you see and perhaps some creatures from your imagination. The emphasis for the Sunday afternoon is on fun – fun for everyone, having a go and really getting stuck into some drawing – it’s free, easy and there’s no right or wrong.

The afternoon session will be accompanied by delicious tea and cakes courtesy of our friends and some gorgeous music from the world-class Tippett Quartet.

Hot foot it to Prema between 1 and 4pm for a rip-roaring time in the company of friendly folk. No need to book – hope to see you there. You’ll totally love it!

Bring a few pennies for a slice of yummy cake and a cup of piping hot rosie lea.

That Sinking Feeling

Over the last few years Prema has been working in partnership with health services – GP surgeries, mental health teams and hospitals – on creative projects to help people rediscover a sense of well-being and balance in their lives. Emotional health is something so many of us take for granted but it’s something which is easily and quickly shattered after a death, an incident or even someone saying the wrong thing.

Just recently Prema has submitted a funding application to both Children in Need and Comic Relief to undertake a county-wide project for young people – we’re calling the project Cover Up. More specifically, young people who self-injure as a way of managing painful emotions. Cutting, burning, purging are strategies used by many as a way of coping and just staying alive. To this end, Prema has devised a confidential, robust programme of work for young people aged 14+ who use self-harm. This project isn’t up-and-running yet but we’ve got our fingers firmly crossed that the funding will come in to make our project happen. We hope to work with our friends at Samaritans in providing ongoing support for people in distress and despair on the self-harm project. Samaritans is a confidential 24 hour service for anyone going through a tough time – you can find out more about them by visiting www.samaritans.org

In the meanwhile, check out this beautiful drawn animation which highlights the work of Samaritans but also provides us with a quiet moment to appreciate peaceful sounds and powerful images.

Just a Taste...

King Pest - The Paper Cinema with Kieron Maguire


Hanging by a thread - Ding Foundation


Madame Lucinda's Wonder Show - Rogue Theatre

Few tickets remaining ...

We’re dead thrilled to be welcoming the fantastic Rogue Theatre back to Prema on 20th November 2009 with their shiny show, jam-packed with intrigue and rippingly good yarns. We’ve only got a handful of tickets left so if you’re after an evening of mystery, suspense and shimmering spectacle give Prema a call to reserve. Don’t miss out – you’ll only kick yourself!

Rod Thomas

Who says ukuleles are for squares?
They can be for socks too... We'd love this guy to play at Prema, so if you're reading Rod give us a bell.

Designs On Darwin

Amazing news – Prema along with dazzlingly dynamic artist Imogen Harvey-Lewis have just accessed funds from The Learning Revolution to widen participation in Prema’s plans for celebrating this year’s BIG DRAW event.

Imogen will be working through Gloucestershire County Council’s Art Lift project to deliver creative sessions in illustration and drawing to patients across the county in a project called LifeSIZE. LifeSIZE focuses on drawing things from the natural world – butterflies, crocodiles, elephants and ladybirds – all to scale. Imagine that! Humungous hippos, giant giraffes and tiny termites. Imogen will be working in Bourton-on-the-Water, Minchinhampton, Gloucetster city, Dursley and Brockworth with patients who have been referred over the last couple of years to the Art Lift project. To find out more about Art Lift, have a peek here.

The drawing sessions in the Doctors’ surgeries will interface with Prema’s Sunday afternoon extravaganza A Whale of a Time on Sunday 25th October 2009 from 1-4pm at the Arts Centre in Uley. The free afternoon event is an open invitation to anyone and everyone to get stuck-in, pick up their drawing implements and join in the fun. To find out more about the LifeSIZE project and the Whale of a Time afternoon, give Prema a holler on 01453 860703 or e-mail us on info@prema.demon.co.uk

Joann Castle

Queen of the Tinklers!