My name is Laura Barry and I am a mixed media artist and art therapy facilitator. In 2015, I set up Florence & Milly, my art studio in Clane, Co. Kildare. Florence & Milly is a community based pottery painting, art studio and coffee bar.
We are asking you to join in an adventure called The Laurel Rooms @ Florence & Milly, where we will create an open access art wellness suite for you to experience wholehearted wellness of mind, body and soul through art therapy, yoga, pilates, massage and pottery. Working as an artist, potter and art therapy facilitator, I have the privilege of teaching different age groups with differing abilities in Kildare and surrounding areas. Art is particularly effective for mental health wellness and it has been my experience that we learn to grow in personal autonomy through the medium of Art.
In order to accommodate for the increased demand for art wellness, we are expanding the business by leasing the 1st floor of the same premises. This unit is to be refitted and will be divided into two spacious, soundproof rooms, a large open space with seating area, a small kitchenette and a partition with two sinks for hand and palette washing.
We are crowdfunding so that we can refit and equip the wellness suites to the best of our abilities. We need to insulate the space, refit and soundproof two therapy rooms, equip with tables, chairs and materials, plumb sinks and heating, install smoke detectors and electrics. We need a pugmill to reprocess clay, kiln to fire pottery, electric wheels and slabroller for therapy, classes and workshops. All the money raised will go towards this project.
Our project spend:
I have over 20 years’ experience dealing with the public. Having trained at Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, Public Relations Institute of Ireland and a Bachelor Science degree in Trinity College Dublin, along with my qualifications in web design, I am a skilled communicator with a creative edge. I work with our resident potter, Holly Parrow, a highly skilled, ex-commercial potter from the USA. Also, in the team are two undergraduates of NCAD, Watercolour Artist BridOg Norrby, several therapists, fitness instructors and wellness coaches who wish to collaborate on this project.
We would be unbelievably grateful for your help in this project. The Laurel Rooms will provide a space for all ages to come and access art in many mediums under one roof at Florence & Milly. It will allow families and friends to meet.
For more information and images on the rewards please visit http://www.florenceandmilly.com/ Thank you for taking the time to read this. Please like, share with your friends and family and visit us to see the project at Florence & Milly, Clane, Co. Kildare.