Alison Bowry started working for High Peak Community Arts in 1990 and has tirelessly spearheaded the organisation’s work in both disability arts and creative health. Early projects included youth and community drama, such as The Heart of the Stone – a Buxton
community play in 1990 – and The Water is Pink and Other Colours – a New Mills project involving multiple groups in creating work to commemorate the 600th anniversary of the founding of the town. But her real legacy with the organisation will be in two long running projects, where she was able to develop arts practice alongside participants and create beautiful lasting artworks for the whole High Peak to enjoy.
Arts Exchange ran from 1997 to 2007, matching artists with local people with disabilities. These one-to-one projects sometimes developed into group projects, and often participants went on to practice the artforms independently as artists themselves.
Throughout Arts Exchange Alison recognised the powerful benefits of arts participation on mental health and wellbeing. The acclaimed Project eARTh began in 2010 to develop this work and reach as many people experiencing mental distress as possible. Although this work is currently paused and seeking funding, its success is undisputed.
In New Mills alone the public can see work in High Lea Park, here in Spring Bank Arts and on the Sett Valley Trail – across the High Peak you will stumble across lasting artworks on train platforms, in doctor’s surgeries and local beauty spots. Over the 14 years of the project, hundreds of people have felt the benefit of learning creative skills, making friendships and collaborating on artwork for the community. That impact lives on. None of this would have been possible without the passion and energy that Alison has brought to High Peak Community Arts – she is second to none an inspiring person to work alongside for the organisation, it’s workers, trustees, volunteers and most of all the participants she has always championed above everything.
