Art Road Trip brings colour, creativity and connection to whg communities

Led by the National Gallery, the Art Road Trip saw a colourful travelling art studio visit 18 locations across the UK between May 2024 and May 2025.
In the Black Country, the Gallery partnered with Creative Black Country and whg to deliver a lively two-week schedule of workshops and activities.

The sessions centred around community-focused workshops hosted for customers at two of whg’s wellbeing schemes, Lockside Pointe in Walsall and Nightingale House in Wolverhampton.

A standout moment was a group visit to the National Gallery in London, giving participants the chance to explore the collection in a special, curated experience.

Sessions were led by National Gallery facilitators and supported by artist duo Juneau Projects, who have been working with whg customers through a wider creative residency creating opportunities to build creative confidence, reduce isolation and improve wellbeing.

As well as whg customers, sessions also welcomed local community groups and learners including students from Walsall College, pupils from St Patrick’s and Grove Primary Schools, the WLV StART group from Wolverhampton University and members of the All4Art group.

Participants explored themes of wellbeing, colour theory, texture and storytelling through creative practices such as collage, gelli printing, flower arranging and character drawing.

Connie Jennings, Director of Stronger Communities at whg, said:
“Art and creative expression play a vital role in improving wellbeing, reducing social isolation and strengthening the connections that help communities thrive.
“Through partnerships like this, we are working to remove barriers and ensure our customers have fair and equal access to the kinds of cultural experiences that others might take for granted.
“This reflects the ambition of whg’s Social Justice Strategy, which underpins our 2030 plan and commits us to tackling health inequalities and creating thriving, inclusive and equitable communities where all our customers have the opportunity to succeed.”