Class offers more than art

The community Freedom Art program at the Intown Centre is about more than the art to its participants.

The art classes offer people a place to relax, forget their worries and express themselves.

South Australian Tess Goels initiated the program after she moved to Bunbury and struggled to find a community art program.

One year on, the program is going strong and attracts up to 15 participants at the classes.

‘‘I wasn’t sure if anyone was getting anything out of it at first,’’ Miss Goels said.

‘‘But now I would be lost without it.’’

Artwork by the beginner artists will go on show for a week at the Bunbury Forum from this Sunday.

The exhibition, titled Taking Flight, will feature sketchings, drawings, paintings and other forms of art.

Anna Komarnyckyj, who has a degree in creative industries, became involved in the group as soon as she heard it was up and running.

‘‘It is a place for people to be themselves and have a conversation,’’ Ms Komarnyckyj said.

‘‘You can see the loneliness dissipate.’’

Intown Centre chairman David Bailey said the program represents the ethos of the centre.

‘‘Our core service is to be a drop-in centre and it’s great to see people get involved,’’ Mr Bailey said.

‘‘It is an outlet for people to find their self worth.’’