Wollar Solar recently sponsored the Culture Dose for Kids program, an arts program organised by Mudgee Arts Precinct with an aim to support children aged between 9-12 living with mild anxiety. Alongside the child’s parents/caregivers, the children are guided through an eight-week art program to connect with their thoughts and feelings to improve mental health and wellbeing.

The free program was originally developed by the Art Gallery of NSW in conjunction with The Black Dog Institute and is currently running for a second year at Mudgee Arts Precinct.

The Program’s lead Artist/Educator, Michael Bourke, said “Participants have commented upon how much they are enjoying the program and how valuable they are finding it in terms of helping them to understand and manage anxiety, developing their skills and confidence in art and enjoying the connection with each other.”

With the program now more than halfway through, some of the participants have also shared their thoughts on how they have found the program so far.

One child shared; “When I sit down to do art, my brain just drifts away. I relax and my worries all disappear. When I am finished, I feel refreshed and stronger.”

Another participant also shared; “I never thought that I could do art. I thought it was something that only some people were good at. Now I know that I can make art and I think that everyone should.”

Wollar Solar Farm Community Relations Manager, Erin Fletcher, said “We’ve been proud to support this innovative program for some of the youngest members of the Mudgee community. Mental health is something that affects many families across the region, and it’s great to see such a supportive program in place to help young people receive support and build social connections while expressing themselves through art.

“It’s wonderful to hear that the children participating have been enjoying the program. We look forward to supporting other worthwhile initiatives in the years to come as we move closer towards the solar farm reaching operations phase.”

Participants at last weekend’s session worked with the theme of sharing – thoughts, feelings and time. The children were asked to create works using clay to share with someone special in their lives, with some of the wonderful pieces of art pictured here.

Children from the Culture Dose for Kids program work on their clay artworks using the theme of “sharing”