Shauna grins as she flips through her sketchbook. She decorated it herself. The colours dance off the pages, which are jam-packed full of sketches, paintings, pictures and stickers.
“Collage is my favourite medium,” she explains. “Sticking down pieces of paper, that’s the best way to make art.”
Shauna lives with AMC, a rare condition that affects how her joints move and develop. As a powerchair user, access is always important – and when her mum discovered Helium on social media, she knew it would be the perfect fit.
Shauna was a little worried at first – she was trying something new, after all – but her nerves soon faded. Five years later, and she’s a regular. As well as our Saturday workshops, Shauna’s joined us for special weekend sessions, camps, and even trips to galleries and an urban sculpture trail.
But for Shauna, what Helium has given her most, is creative freedom.
“I’ve learned a lot about different types of art,” she explains. “There are things I wouldn’t have heard of before, but then I try them and discover I love them.”
Where Shauna found school art a little restrictive, at Helium she could just let loose.
“You can experiment,” she continues. “I like that at Helium, you can start something, and see where it goes.”
It paid off. Shauna’s mum never fails to be impressed by the variety and imagination in the work her daughter brings home. There’s been animal collages, t-shirt prints, and even a painted apron. But it’s the clay turtle that wins the day.
“I think it’s absolutely brilliant,” she says, laughing. “The stuff they make. It’s so beautiful. I’m so proud of what she’s created.”
Of course, it isn’t just the chance to make art that’s important.
“It’s nice that on a Saturday we have something that’s just for her,” Clare continues. “It’s lovely seeing her meet new people as well. It’s important for me too – talking to other mums while we’re waiting for them to come out. I love it!”
Shauna doesn’t know exactly where her career will take her, but she does know it will be creative. She’d love to use the skills and experiences she’s built through Helium, and is looking forward to seeing where they take her.
“Who knows?” she says, shrugging her shoulders, smiling. “It’s completely up in the air.”
And that’s a good thing. Because sometimes, you have to trust your instincts and see where things go.