Joe

Joe was 15 and resident in the open unit at Orchard Lodge, a centre for boys on remand or serving custodial sentences, when he first met teachers from Dulwich Picture Gallery.

This was during the Gallery's ambitious project Does Art Make A Difference? (click for link to more information?), funded by the DfES, devised to show that learning through the visual arts can help with acquiring and applying life skills.Joe took to the sessions with gusto and produced an impressive series of confident, bold paintings.

After completing his time at Orchard Lodge this boy moved on to a children's home. Joe arrived at the Gallery one day with a completely bemused care worker and a group of boys from the home. Joe confidently showed them round, talking articulately and vociferously about the paintings.

Such was the level of interest generated, that after Joe's tour the group persuaded their care worker to ask the Gallery for art courses at the children home.

Keith

Though keen on art at school Patrick had scarcely picked up a pencil since leaving at 16 and had drifted into a downward spiral of unemployment and substance abuse.

Four years later at his lowest ebb, he arrived Phoenix House, a drug rehabilitation centre. Keith was encouraged to take part in the Dulwich Picture Gallery art sessions that took place at Phoenix House as part of the Art Icebreaker project (click to go to more info about the project?)

He enthusiastically attended each one, describing them as "Brilliant" whilst appreciating the opportunity to express himself in a different way.

After six months at Phoenix, Patrick was transferred to the final stage of his rehabilitation in 'move on housing', where residents are encouraged to re-start their lives. Such was his interest in art that Patrick independently booked himself onto an 'Art for the Unemployed' course at the Gallery furthering his skills and technique.

This gave Keith the confidence to apply for work experience at a graphic design firm. One day he phoned us, bursting with excitement - the graphic design firm had offered him a fulltime job!

He said, "I got so much support and encouragement from the Gallery - the staff and tutors all made time for me. Thank You!"