Livestream raises funds for disability arts

A Stoke-on-Trent support group has completed a 24-hour live broadcast to raise money for summer animation workshops.

The Social Agency is based at the B Arts Centre on Hartshill Road and organises art projects for people with autism and learning difficulties.

The group hopes to raise £2,500 which would be matched by charity organisation The Big Give.

Members of the group are also currently working on a textile banner project which will be exhibited at Longton Market in early April.

The Social Agency is a support group run by the arts organisation Rideout.

Its artistic director, Saul Hewish, led the livestream through the early hours.

“I’m throwing in some of our films and podcasts just so I can have a bit of a break and get a cup of tea and something to eat.”

The stream also included poems, ghost stories and a live rehearsal of a new play performed by members of the group.

Eight budding artists joined Friday’s group session in which they designed their personalised fabric square.

Emily Andrews is one of The Social Agency’s art facilitators currently working on the textile banner project.

“There’s a lot of pride, a lot of confidence that’s built through understanding their own capabilities and by trying a new art form,” she said.

Each individual square created by the group will form a larger protest-style banner displayed in Longton Market from Friday 5 April.

Before this project, the group tried their hands at clay, printing and photography.

“It’s a really good group for trying different things and I’m really into arty things,” said member Holly.

Money raised through the 24-hour livestream will help fund a series of workshops teaching stop motion animation in June and July.

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