News, Volunteer Stories
Volunteer Stories: Meet Frank
Meet Frank –
inspirational artist, member AND volunteer
Frank joined the Grassmarket Community Project as a Member and thoroughly enjoys attending classes. He also uses his incredible artistic abilities to volunteer to support GCP’s Art and Craft and other groups.
‘Being an artist is solitary, so to be able to talk about art and share with others who are willing to learn and to help others, I can’t explain it, it’s just fantastic.’
Frank’s passion for art radiates from him and his eyes light up when he talks about it.
We were interested to find out and share more about Frank. He is a remarkable man and we’re so lucky to have him here at GCP.
‘Ever since I can remember I was drawing and painting. I wasn’t that bright at school but in the art room it was a different story, I felt excited.’
After leaving school, Frank worked in factories and hotels, but continued to hone his art. He took night classes, building up his portfolio whilst gaining his Higher and A Level Art. In the early nineties, he was accepted into Edinburgh College of Art.
Frank is very modest, but he now keeps an amazing portfolio of the art he has created in, or inspired by, the Grassmarket Community Project. His portfolio includes work motivated by GCP’s outings and his love of history.
A visit to Melrose last summer inspired him to paint a poster and write a poem (2 photos). The story of how Scotland nearly lost Robbie Burns also moved him. Robbie was about to emigrate, thankfully a publishing contract came through just in time!
And there’s more!
Frank’s creativity is also put to good use in GCP’s classes such as Health and Wellbeing, where he helps visually represent group discussions, such as the benefits of sleeping and eating well in the artwork attached (photos).
Recently, working alongside Scott, Frank became a founder member of the LGBTQIA+ group at the Grassmarket Community Project. He is currently leading the way in designing and producing flags and posters for the up-and-coming Gay Pride march and Gay History month.
Although he has had to have other jobs, Frank has always kept up with his art and he loves supporting others at the Grassmarket,
‘I share my experiences with others. Everyone has different capacities and we all learn in our own way, but I like to help people think, explore and get better.’
The Grassmarket Community Project has supported Frank too. Recently we introduced him to one of our partner social enterprises, Scottish Design Exchange (SDE). Frank now exhibits and sells his work at the Tron in Edinburgh. He hopes the relationship with SDE will extend to other galleries in the future too.
Frank loves being a Member and Volunteer at the Grassmarket Community Project and would recommend it to others,
‘You learn about yourself as you guide others. You become less judgemental and it feels good.’
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A BIG THANK YOU
The Grassmarket Community Project’s Members Programme relies on the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our key funders for this area of our work are Nationwide Community Grants, The Robertson Trust and EVOC/Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. We thank them for their essential continued support.
The Grassmarket Community Project’s Volunteer Programme also relies on the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our main funder for this area of our work is The Big Lottery Changing Lives programme and we thank them for their essential continued support.