In October 2024 we launched two new Creative Wellbeing Groups in Lancaster and Kendal.
The groups were open to all neurodivergent people aged 18+, offering a chance to connect with other neurodivergent people in the area, have a brew and try guided creative activities in a fun and relaxed space.
As part of this pilot project, the groups have met for fortnightly art workshops to explore, experiment, make, create, and find community, guided by local neurodivergent artist Danielle Chappell Aspinwall (scroll down to find out more about Danielle!)
We are now presenting their work in two exhibitions, celebrating the art they’ve created and the process that led to it.
Interested in future sessions?
We hope to be able to continue the two groups in the not-too-distant future - if you would like to join the waiting list please fill in the sign-up form below.
If you have any questions, please email us at hello@mainspringarts.org.uk.
Waiting list sign-up form
About Danielle, the Lead Artist
Neurodivergent (ADHD/Dyslexic/APD) artist Danielle Chappell Aspinwall explores her textiles practice through collaborative approaches via Fine Arts and Social Practice. As an artist she interconnects people and art through place, nature and wellbeing, advocating for positive change and exploring conversations around mental health, hidden disability inclusion and reducing landfill.
Her multidisciplinary approaches explore a variety of media through 3D installations, film, contemporary textiles, mixed media collage and illustration, inspired by dialogue, fun, doodles and play, exploring identity and resulting in creative conversational pieces and interventions that she also shares through educational activities and workshops.
Using autoethnography in her approaches, she sparks inspiration with workshops to not only boost practical art skills but reduce stress and loneliness and increase wellbeing, cross-feeding into her art practice, teaching, co-collaborative workshops and co-designed community artworks.
Danielle has worked on a variety of commissions, workshops and projects with local councils, local and national organisations, CICs and charities, with projects co-funded by Heritage Action Zones, Arts Council England, and in partnership with the Lancashire and Cumbria NHS Partnership Trust, Lancashire Recovery College and EESF, and has exhibited nationally in the UK and internationally in India.
Danielle was born in Blackpool and is settled in Dalton-in-Furness, where she resides with her two children and loves escaping in the outdoors, paddleboarding and watching her children play football and sports. Her art studio is in Barrow-in-Furness, where she works freelance as Danielle Chappell or Yappers Chappers Designs, and she is also ‘Artist for Change’ at BarrowFull, the Arts Council Creative People and Places Programme for Barrow. Find Danielle at daniellechappell.com or on Instagram and Twitter @YappersChappers.
