Connect and Flourish

About

Welcome to Connect and Flourish!

An exhibition celebrating neurodiverse creativity in Swansea. This exhibition marks the culmination of an 18-month Connect and Flourish project funded by the Arts Council of Wales.

Working with three amazing groups from across Swansea:

· ASDES – Autism, skills, development and support

· Gower College – Independent living skills department

· Shine Cymru – Life skills development service

The project created space for neurodiverse individuals to explore, create and collaborate across a range of art forms and to tell their own stories.

The journey in numbers

Over the course of the project:

· 55 creative sessions took place

· 56 participants took part

· Participants came from SA1 to SA5, with one joining from Neath.

· We welcomed – 16 females and 40 males aged between 17 and 34.

· More than 50% were visiting elysium gallery for the first time.

· After a 6-month taster phase, participants asked to continue, wanting to create something more lasting. A decision which shaped the rest of the journey.

Creative pathways

With guidance from 21 artists, participants explored 6 art forms:

· Animation and filmmaking

· Mask making and movement

· Music production and sound design

· Photography

· Scriptwriting

· Graffiti art

Each session was led by a professional artist alongside a neurodivergent supporting artist, ensuring inclusive and empowering experiences.

From practice to production:

The participants shaped every part of the final works.

· Wrote their own scripts

· Created sound effects and backdrops

· Designed and made masks

· Performed in and helped produce their films

Each groups finished film is the result of imagination, persistence, and collaboration – a creative achievement all can be proud of.