WOKINGHAM Town Council is preparing to host an annual creative arts and mental health event that turns the market place into a temporary art gallery.
Chalk About It 2024 is designed to support mental wellbeing by providing a safe and open space for residents to express their feelings through art.
In a relaxed, open air environment, where they are supported and not judged, anyone who wants to contribute to the collaborative artwork can help to transform the marketplace pavement into a shared gallery of pictures.
Participants are free to talk about mental health struggles and will have an opportunity to engage with professional support and advice should they wish.
This year’s theme is inspired by the Mandala, a symbolic diagram in Buddhist and Hindu traditions that aids meditation.
Often created using sand, these can symbolise the impermanence of thoughts and feelings, and similarly, the chalk art created by the Wokingham event will be washed away over the course of a few days.
Organisers say that it can be difficult to find time for reflection in a fast paced world of varying pressures, and that this event creates space for people to find moments of connection and peace through creativity.
Writing or drawing, they say, can often help to express those things that are difficult to say out loud.
As well as contributing to a collective Mandala piece, people can create their own individual artwork, setting down their thoughts and feelings, or whatever they wish to share, either in a cloud space, or on paper.
“Art in a public place has the ability to slow down time and allow you to lose yourself in the moment,” said one of the artists involved.
“It’s a distraction from negative thoughts, and food for the soul.”
The event will also feature health professionals and helpers ready to engage with participants, ensuring that support is available for those who need it.
Cllr Barrie Callender, chair of Wokingham Town Council’s Arts and Culture Committee, emphasized the importance of providing a supportive environment for mental health.
He said: “It isn’t easy getting through what life throws at us.
“We all muddle through in our own way.
“We know that there’s no one way to identify issues, cope or move forward.
“Help can come from any number of activities, organisations or programmes and we are delighted to bring an art-based mental health activity to Wokingham once again.
“With multiple ways to engage with Chalk About It throughout the day and with support providers on hand, we hope that we can offer an environment where all who attend can express themselves and feel a little freer.”
The event, suitable for all ages, is organised by Wokingham Town Council, in collaboration with professional pavement artists Urban Canvas, and local mental health groups.
The event will take place at Wokingham Market Place, on Sunday, August 18, from 11am to 3pm.
For information, visit: www.wokingham-tc.gov.uk/chalk
