Welcome to SAMS-art

About SAMS-art

My name is Stacey and I run SAMS-art. As SAMS-art relies upon myself, my experiences, skills and knowledge are vital to the success and quality of this service.

My passion for art and an interest in how it can be used in a ‘beneficial’ way has always been with me. From both personal and family history, I have appreciated the power a picture can have, and the necessary need to communicate through them.

As I have wanted to use art in a 'therapeutic' way for a long time, my academic route has been through A-levels including Art & Design and Psychology. I have a BTEC Foundation Studies in Art & Design and a BA (Hons.) Fine Art form Manchester Metropolitan University.

I have also studied a Certificate in Counselling Skills within an integrative model, which means counselling with a solution-focused approach to a clients problem.

This experience has given me better understanding of people, communication with people and providing a helping service tailored to each individual.

I have found that books such as “Expressive Arts with Elders” by Naida Weisberg and Rosilyn Wilder have been a great inspiration to me on how a creative session would work and to what mental, emotional and physical benefits such sessions would have on individuals.

My other knowledge includes the skills I have learned over the past 18 months as I have been volunteering at ARC – Arts for Recovery in the Community, which is a project based in Stockport that provides creative opportunities to adults with mental health problems. Within this setting I have worked one-to-one and within groups on both project-based and individual work.

Also for the past six years I have been the Events Secretary for Rochdale Artists; www.rochdaleartists.com, an arts group for the local community. My role involves organising demonstrations, talks, events and appraisals based every week within monthly themes. And also listening to the member’s ideas and providing a varied program over the year to suit all artists in all mediums.