Annual Report April 2022 – March 2023 Registered Charity No: 1157556
Cover artwork by Tracy
Background and Who We Support
Flying Fish Artists (FFA) was initially formed in 2002, after members of a creative arts group in the occupational therapy workshop at Riverside Community Mental Health team base were invited to put on an exhibition for public viewing as part of the North Devon Festival. The exhibition was called ‘Hidden Talents’ because participants pulled beautiful sketches, paintings and stained glass out from under their beds for them to be carefully hung throughout the buildings.
What a transformative event, celebrating so many different people’s strengths to create such an uplifting effect that it was decided to have a professional hanging system so that there could be rotating exhibitions of artwork.
If we were going to hold regular exhibitions, the group needed to have a name and so suggestions were voted on and Flying Fish Artists was born.
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Flying Fish Artists now operates as a small, Barnstaple based charity that, through using art as a creative and therapeutic means of recovery, supports people (aged 18 upwards) from anywhere across Torridge and North Devon region who wish to use art to help themselves in recovering from ill health.
We support and inspire our members to tap into their creativity and produce artwork which integrates the members with the local community with exhibitions and events as well as accepting art commissions. Our work over the years, and particularly our regular studio sessions continue to help members to relieve the social isolation that so many of them felt prior to joining us.
The regular meetings provide a welcoming and safe space for our members, where they feel comfortable and able to focus on bringing out their inner creativity and talent.
Flying Fish Artists’ completed collaborative mural for the Moorland View ward of North Devon District Hospital
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Our Trustees and Artists
Joyce Reed, Members Co-ordinator. Joyce gets much enjoyment from continuing to serve as a volunteer and trustee for FFA, welcoming new and regular participants each week as well as faces from the past who call into our studio sessions from time to time. She’s inspired by members’ encouragement of one another and enthusiam for any creative opportunities. She is supported by her husband Chris who is always on hand at events and trips to help out.
Martin Davies, Secretary. Martin looks after much of the administration and ensures the smooth running of the operational workings of FFA. We are so very grateful for all of his continued help, many years of commitment and invaluable contribution.
Jason Smith, Chairman. Jason ensures the smooth and efficient running of our board meetings which he continues to expertly host monthly for us on Zoom. We’re also thankful to him for overseeing the opening and setting-up of our weekly studio sessions, including between Christmas and New Year. Jason also runs a Wednesday group for members and led the Moorland View mural project.
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Carrie Clarke, Trustee. We are delighted to welcome Carrie back whom some members remember well from when she worked in North Devon and provided much encouragement and assistance as an artist herself with Flying Fish Artists forming many years ago. Fortunately for us, Carrie now has a bit more time to link-up with our group again.
She travels from mid-Devon to visit us whenever her time allows, submits grant-applications on our behalf and joins Zoom trustees’ meetings to keep informed about the direction members wish to go in with developing their art.
Julia Dredge, Trustee. Julia is a versatile artist who has involved herself in all sorts of community projects over the years and continues to give valuable advice on how to help our members and the direction which Flying Fish Artists should take, from an artist’s perspective. We are very thankful for her help in running the charity and spreading word of our sessions and events.
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Message from our Chairman: Our Review from April 2022
It has been another busy year for our Flying Fish Artists charity both in and outside of our weekly studio sessions. We have been lucky enough to have had input from visiting volunteers; Elaine Stiling kindly provided 12 weeks of ceramic and clay-modelling instruction, Claire Johns has brought us slideshows featuring different artists of interest and introduced us to fine art collage techniques and retired-nurse Liz has made us lots of cups of tea and provided much cheerful encouragement.
Members Carol, Bonny and Sandy provided a Christmas Design Workshop for elderly residents at Norah Bellot Court Housing Association. Our Christmas Fayre was a really joyous occasion celebrating creativity shared by our ‘Friends of Flying Fish’ and family coming to say hello and enjoy a mellow acoustic performance of live music from Bad Willow band duo from Bideford Char and Harrison.
Membership has grown significantly over this year with 40 people signed up to our weekly group email and we have at times had to limit numbers of participants in the studio but generally this works out okay.
As ever, I would like to thank our treasurer Sam Tse and trustees Martin, Julia, Carrie and Joyce for all their contributions in overseeing FFA.
Artwork by Jason
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For details of our activities throughout the past year in addition to our weekly Tuesday studio sessions, please see the list below:
April 2022 – New art materials purchased, kind donation from The South Bank Centre in London
May 2022 – Sound Sanctuary equipment installed / in use (money from North Devon Councillor’s Community Fund)
July 2022 – Trip to RHS Rosemoor
August 2022 – ArtByPost online workshop during studio session September 2022 – Sound Meditation Workshop with Helen Phillips September 2022 – Trip to Exmoor Zoo
November 2022 – Hakeford Woods Wellbeing in Nature Day
November 2022 – Inspirational visit to Barnstaple Museum
December 2022 – Flying Fish Christmas Fayre – c. £600 raised
January 2023 – Double Elephant printmaking workshop
February 2023 – Fine Art Collage/scrapbook session with Claire Johns
March 2023 – ArtByPost creative newsletters signed up to focusing on poetry
March 2023 – Claire Johns presentation & workshop on Surrealism and fine art collage techniques
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Message from our Trustees: Future Plans
Whilst our workshop sessions use art to support mental health and wellbeing it does not include therapy so this year, our Members’ Leaflet will be updated to include relevant contact details for those seeking help with personal mental health needs.
In the year ahead, our aim is to continue with holding our very lively studio sessions every Tuesday at The Castle Centre. Although these are at capacity, we still need funding to continue to support everyone and provide a variety of interesting techniques and experiences.
Therefore, we will be holding another Christmas Fayre this year to help us to raise much needed funds as well as to provide opportunity to socialise with supporters in our local community and showcase members’ artwork. We also plan to visit Rosemoor RHS garden for inspiration, hold meet-ups for outdoor sketches and visit exhibitions at Barnstaple Museum and The Burton Art gallery.
We hope to welcome local artist Claire Johns for more guided workshop sessions and have a focus on creative journalling assisted by Karen, one of our members, as well as find time to include print-making and clay-modelling.
Another aim is to find funds and assistance to update the Flying Fish Artists website and consider use of social media.
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Financial Information: Year Ending March 2023
| Income | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant income | - | 1,918 | 1,918 |
| Donations | 1,513 | - | 1,513 |
| Sales | 418 | - | 418 |
| TOTAL | 1,931 | 1,918 | 3,849 |
| Expenditure | |||
| Workshops | 304 | 450 | 754 |
| Materials/equip | 216 | - | 216 |
| Marketing | 105 | - | 105 |
| Rent & rates | 1,356 | 468 | 1,824 |
| TOTAL | 1,981 | 918 | 2,899 |
| Net expense | (50) | 1,000 | 950 |
| Reserves 2023 | * 1,306 | _ 1,000_** | 2,306 |
| Reserves 2022 | 1,356 | - | 1,356 |
| Movement | (50) | 1,000 | 950 |
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*Note 1: Remaining funds will be carried over to the following financial year to cover running costs.
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**Note 2: Restricted reserves include a £1k grant for hall hire awarded during the year, but relating to expenditure to be incurred from April 2023, hence this is treated as deferred income in the accounts.
Artwork by Bonny
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Our Members Say...
‘Flying Fish Artists gives a structure to my week and I look forward to the sessions’
‘It is somewhere we can laugh, relax and be ourselves’
‘You are safe to be who you are’
‘It helps my husband, who is my main carer, to have a break knowing that I am coming somewhere where I am safe’
‘Our groups are supportive and inspirational’
‘Flying Fish is a stress-free environment’ ‘Somewhere nice to come without any pressure’
‘The sessions help me feel a sense of belonging and purpose’
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Artwork From Our Members
Artwork by Julia
Artwork by Carol
Artwork by Sandy
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Thank You to ALL our Wonderful Sponsors and Donors
Sponsors and Donors during 2022-2023 have included:
Community Councillor Grant project - "Art On The Move"
North Devon Councillors’ Community Fund
For 2023 – 2024:
Barnstaple Town Council (Small Grant Funding)
Contact Us
We would love to hear from you!
Visit our studio session on Tuesdays between 10.30 and 1.30 p.m. at The Castle Centre Barnstaple Email address: flyingfishartists@googlemail.com Website: www.flyingfishartists.org.uk
Cover artwork by Tracy
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