Community Work
These are examples of works I have been developing, collaborating or involved with.
ARTS & CRAFTS WORKSHOPS – Monthly at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre
Once a month I offer a unique Arts & Crafts Workshop here at the Centre. It is open for all adults and children aged 10+ if accompanied by an adult who is also participating. The classes are tailored to be flexible for all to learn and have fun independently of your art skills. You’ll be guided step-by-step to drawing, painting and crafts lessons. It is a 2-hour workshop at £20 with materials and hot drinks included. Classes are limited to 10 participants and bookings in advance are required. Announcements for these are posted on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/BrentwoodArtsTherapyCentre
Painting lessons.
All sorts of crafts: pebble painting, decoupage, jewellery, mosaics, candle making, mixed media and much more.
We also go painting the bluebells at Weald Country Park.
MIND – Art Therapy Workshop – September 2024
I was invited to give a talk/workshop at MIND's Hub in Brentwood to inform MIND's clients about the benefits of Art Therapy
as a psychological intervention. The workshop focused on Dealing with Anxiety through Art.
https://thurrockandbrentwoodmind.org.uk/
If you think Art Therapy 'closed group' could be beneficial to you please get in touch for a free assessment. More
information under SERVICES – Art Therapy Groups
THE ESSEX COMMUNITY TREE NETWORK
My Art Therapy Service is listed within the Essex Community Tree's website. They supply a list of services for people looking
for help with their mental ill health and/or related problems. In March 2024 I had the pleasure to receive Peter Ferrier,
who come to the Centre to interview and film me as part of their website project to promote everyone’s services. A lot of work
goes on behind the scenes to make sure service users can find the services they need in an easy and straightforward way. I am
very grateful for being part of this TREE.
https://essexcommunitytree.net/
PEQUE ARTISTS' ART CAMP – During School's Terms/Holidays
Collaborative work with Peque Artists. Art making for children age 6+ from 10am till 3:30pm at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre
during school's terms/holidays throughout the year. Contact Peque Artists for all information
at: [email protected]
For all events please check out: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090657366589
LD ART THERAPY GROUP – for those with Learning Disability
I have worked with adults with learning disabilities since 2014 in different settings. I now offer this group space here at the
Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre once a week for an affordable fee so my community can benefit from it. Young persons and adults are
welcome. This group is aimed at promoting motor and visual stimulation; build confidence, increase self-esteem, socializing and
enjoyment with the art making process.
DAY: Wednesdays – TIME: 1pm till 2pm – COST: £10 per session.
For enquiries please contact me - Irene Malvezi at: 07715601222 or
YEAR 4 - SENSORY ART SPECTACULAR – ART EXHIBITION FROM FRONTLINES' CAFÉ ART 2024 at the Brentwood Library
My fourth year in the organising of this exhibition to display artworks from Frontline's Café Art's participants, where I have
been facilitating art sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
https://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
Phoenix FM Radio interview here:
https://www.phoenixfm.com/2024/08/17/cafe-art-brentwoods-creative-sensory-art-exhibition/
CAFÉ ART LONDON TRIP TO THE TATE MODERN – July 2024
Tate Modern was the place chosen to give Frontline’s Café Art participants a flavour of Contemporary and Modern Art. We had time
to create pencil drawings observing shapes and lines from the abstract works on display and then time for refreshments at the
TATE's Café with amazing views of London.
https://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
PALETTE TO PREVENTION – ART EXHIBITION - July 2024
Lady McAdden Breast Cancer Charity fund-raising Palette to Prevention Art Exhibition at the Forum, Southend-on-Sea,
where I made part with the display of three artworks and two workshops: Art Therapy for Anxiety and
How-to-Draw for children.
https://ladymcadden.org/
Exhibition Launch Party.
'Mistletoe Kiss' - My art contribution available via the charity’s auction site.
Free Workshop for the community: Dealing with Anxiety through Art. The workshop was aimed to inform participants
about the benefits of Art Therapy as a psychological intervention. If you think Art Therapy 'closed group' could
be beneficial to you please get in touch for a free assessment. More information under SERVICES – Art Therapy Groups
Free Workshop for the community: How to Draw – For Children aged 5-11.More information under SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2024 – FEATURED ARTIST
My work on display this time at the Mullis & Peake Solicitors in Shenfield,194 Hutton Road and also at the POP UP GALLERY
inside the Brentwood Baytree Centre.
https://www.mplaw.co.uk/
https://www.baytreeshoppingcentre.com/
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL news and events here:https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/events/brentwood-art-trail
https://www.facebook.com/BwdArtTrail/?locale=en_GB
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2024 – WALK, TALK AND CREATE
One of the WALK, TALK & CREATE events hosted by Irene Malvezi at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre. After a walk at Weald Country Park we got inspired by the natural environment we returned to the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre to create a vase decorated with pressed flowers.
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL news and events here: https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/events/brentwood-art-trail
https://www.facebook.com/BwdArtTrail/?locale=en_GB
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2024 – BRENTWOOD CONNECT
Creative Community Showcase organised by Brentwood Connect as part of the Brentwood Art Trail events. Hosted at the Baytree Centre in Brentwood, it was an opportunity to engage with the community and explain about the benefits of Art Therapy.
BREAST CANCER NOW – Art Therapy Workshop – March 2024
I was invited to give a talk/workshop at the Breast Cancer Now group in Romford for people living with secondary
breast cancer. It was an opportunity to inform the participants about the benefits of Art Therapy for cancer
treatment as well as self-discovery.
https://breastcancernow.org/support-for-you/living-with-secondary-breast-cancer/living-with-secondary-breast-cancer-in-person/
If you think Art Therapy 'closed group' could be beneficial to you please get in touch for a free assessment.
More information under SERVICES – Art Therapy Groups
YAY MATES 2023
Art Therapy - What is it? Talk and Workshop at the Brentwood Theater's Café on the 6th of September, organized by YAYmates.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/yaymates/ and the No Collective
https://www.facebook.com/groups/313093360124137/user/100028847844700
We had full house and everyone had a taste of a psychoeducational talk about the benefits of Art Therapy.
YEAR 3 - SENSORY ART SPECTACULAR – ART EXHIBITION FROM FRONTLINES' CAFÉ ART 2023 at the Brentwood Library
Irene Malvezi's third year in the organising of this exhibition to display artworks from Frontline's Café
Art's participants, where she facilitates art sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
The exhibition was featured on The Arts Programme 177 - Pheonix FM. The interview with participants
starts on minutes 52.
https://www.phoenixfm.com/2023/08/13/the-arts-programme-177-it-was-acceptable-in-the-80s/
SECRET ARTIST EXHIBITIONS 2023 - From 4th to 27th of August 2023
Irene Malvezi, Artist and Art Psychotherapist, was commissioned by Havering Changing project (London Borough of Havering) to deliver an art workshop for adults with learning disabilities at the Avelon Road Centre as a contribution to this year’s Secret Artist Exhibitions and Rainham Creates project. The theme ‘Doves In The Blue Sky’ was chosen for its symbolism of freedom and peace to be displayed at Rainham Parish Church’s beautiful premises. At the art workshop the participants learned about the elements of art such as lines, value, shape and colours and all were able to apply their learning on canvas with acrylics, paper cutting and collage.
Event organized by Artist Charlotte Trower. Irene and Chalotte on the photo.
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2023 – FEATURED ARTIST
This year I had my art display in two venues: here at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre and also at the beautiful Merrymeade Tea
Room - two new venues added to the Trail. It was a great opportunity to bring the community around to visit us and to promote our
services.
https://www.merrymeadetearoom.co.uk/
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL news and events here:https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/events/brentwood-art-trail
https://www.facebook.com/BwdArtTrail/?locale=en_GB
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2023
Walk, Talk & Create session hosted by Artist, Designer and Art Psychotherapist Irene Malvezi at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre and Weald Country Park. The group met at Irene's Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre (9 Hatch Road, Brentwood CM15 9PU), travelled a short distance by foot to Weald Country Park for a walk and talk around the area, collected natural materials, then returned to the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre to create some art with these items, under Irene's tuition.
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL news and events here:
https://www.brentwoodconnected.co.uk/events/brentwood-art-trail
https://www.facebook.com/BwdArtTrail/?locale=en_GB
BRENTWOOD ARTS THERAPY CENTRE – Art Display Opportunity 2023
The Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre opens a space for Artists with special needs to display their work for free. Frontline's Café Art participants are on show. Artworks are for sale and the money to go to the Artist and also to the Charity in context. It’s a double way to help the community. Please come along to see the display.
Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre at 9, Hatch Road, Pilgrims Hatch, CM15 9PUwww.brentwoodartstherapy.org.uk
VAN GOGH THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE EXHIBITION 2023
Frontline's Café Art group had the opportunity to see a multitude of Van Gogh's artworks in big scale. We also
spent time colouring Van Gogh’s most famous images in a workshop area. After exhibition time we had more things to
see and buy at the Spitafields Market as well as having our lunch break there.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
Frontline's Café Art participants’ trip to London on the 15th of February to see Van Gogh The Immersive Experience Exhibition.
COMMUNITY SCHOOL IN BRAZIL - September 2022
Teaching school children how-to-draw using the book 'Draw Water and Other Things' by author Linda Nissen Samuels and illustrated by myself. Please find more information on this specific workshop for children under my SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
Brazilian Community School: EMEB Maestro Benedito Mesquita da Silveira at Bairro do Jacaré, Cabreúva, SP, Brazil.
ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS SUMMER EXHIBITION 2022
Taking Frontline's Café Art participants' to London to visit the RA Summer Exhibition followed by a picnic in Green Park. The
idea was for them to see for themselves the variety of artworks on display to validate the quality of their own art works and
have a fun day.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
Frontline's Café Art participants' day out visiting the RA Summer Exhibition.
YEAR 2 - SENSORY ART SPECTACULAR – ART EXHIBITION FROM FRONTLINES' CAFÉ ART 2022 at the Brentwood Library
My second year organising this exhibition to display artworks from Frontline's Café Art's participants, where I facilitate Art Sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
The exhibition was featured in the local news:
And also featured on The Arts Programme 81 – Phoenix FM:
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2022
After a pleasant guided walk at Merrymead Country Park, public members met at the Merrymead Tea Room where I guided them to create Dandelions out of coloured cards and crepe paper.
SENSORY ART SPECTACULAR – ART EXHIBITION FROM FRONTLINES' CAFÉ ART 2021 at the Brentwood Library
I organised this exhibition to display samples of artworks created by the Frontline's Café Art's participants where I facilitate Art Sessions for adults with learning disabilities.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/cafeart.html
It aimed to promote participants' confidence in the art making process. It was a free exhibition open to the public during the library's open hours from the 31st of July till 27th of August 2021. Many participants sold their artworks. We also had donations to Frontline to help them to carry on with more inspirational work for the community.
The exhibition was featured in the local news:
https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/new-art-exhibition-opens-in-brentwood/
And also on The Arts Programme 81 – Phoenix FM:
https://www.phoenixfm.com/2021/08/09/arts-programme-81/
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2021
Public members met at the Honeypot Lane entrance of St. Faith's Country Park for the 'WALK, TALK and CREATE' event to hear from Alan Marsh about the trees and wildlife in the area. Then we moved on to The Gates, charity organisation where I work, which provides social, educative and therapeutic opportunities for vulnerable adults in a horticultural setting. At The Gates I gave a tour of the art projects and the opportunity to create artwork with dried leaves.
Four artists, including myself, displayed artworks at The Gates for this year's Brentwood Art Trail. The public also saw many art installations created by The Gates' regular participants around its gardens.
I had a radio interview on The Arts Programme 76 – Phoenix PM on the 8th of August 2021 promoting Brentwood Art Trail at The Gates. Here is the link and it starts in the 43 minute along the line.
https://www.phoenixfm.com/2021/07/07/arts-programme-76/
Art Workshop with Irene Malvezi using dried leaves to create animal shapes.
Exhibition's area with art display from various local artists as well as The Gates' regular participants.
'Washing line' – Installation made with wire and beads by various regular The Gate's participants.https://www.facebook.com/BwdArtTrail/
FRONTLINE PARTNERSHIP LTD from 2014 until 2024
Frontline Partnership Ltd is a charity organisation in Brentwood offering inclusion for adults with learning disabilities. I started at the Frontline’s Café Art initially as a volunteer in 2014. In 2018 I took over the position to run the group as a Freelancer Art Facilitator. However, in August 2024, it was time to leave to concentrate on my other practices at the Brentwood Arts Therapy Centre. Working for Frontline was an incredible experience and I am very grateful for all the connections and friendships created from it.
The concept is to give the opportunity to clients to enjoy the art making process. It is a sensory exercise aimed
at promoting motor and visual stimulation. It does not matter if the final result is a simple line on paper or a
complete painting. It is not about completion or competition but fun and what everyone is able to create individually
or with the interaction and help of carers. Café Art welcomes people with a learning disability.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/
THE GATES from 2018 until 2023
The Gates is a charity organisation part of Frontline Partnership Ltd. For over a decade they have been providing a beautiful
setting for indoors and outdoors horticultural and art activities for adults with leaning disabilities in Brentwood. I worked there
from 2018 until 2023 as an Inclusion Support Worker and Art Facilitator. It was a unique experience because although the days were
physically and psychologically demanding, what stayed with me since was the joy, fun and care we all had for one another.
http://www.frontlinepartnership.org/thegates.html
The garden mosaic floor below is an example of community work created by the adults with learning disabilities.
Tree Mosaic. Size: 650cm x 350cm
There, I helped the clients to learn mosaic techniques to create a big tree figure, part of their Sensory Garden for public display at Open Days throughout the year. Various local charity shops, including St Francis Hospice and The Light House, donated broken crockery. Many of the broken tiles were picked up (with permission) from skip containers and many more donated by the clients' family and friends.
Other art creations at The Gates:
Old plates painted to become an outdoor sunflower installation.
Monet's Water Lilies Impressionist version made from broken crockery.
WEALD PARK WELLNESS GROUP 2019
Delivering various outdoor art/therapeutic workshops for the local community in Brentwood. I thought the beneficial experiences from working with nature could be passed on to others in the community and in January 2019 I started the Weald Park Wellness Group. Upcoming Workshops will be appearing on the Centre’s Facebook page. Please follow the link to see what is new: https://www.facebook.com/BrentwoodArtsTherapyCentre
PLANET ESSEX 2019
Planet Essex Festival at the Cressing Temple Barns, with Linda Nissen Samuels and Irene Malvezi giving three free Eco Drawing Workshops
throughout the day.
Please find more information on this specific workshop for children under
my SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
ECO DRAWING WORKSHOPS AT WEALD COUNTRY PARK 2019
A series of workshops for children at Weald Country Park, Essex promoted by the Essex Country Parks.
Please find more information on this specific workshop for children under
my SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
BRENTWOOD ART TRAIL 2019
Brentwood Art Trail 2019, at The Baytree Shopping Centre offering a free Eco Drawing Workshop for the community.
Please find more information on this specific workshop for children under
my SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
SNAP 2016
A How-to-Draw workshop, adding up fun to their charity Siblings' Event.
Please find more information on this specific workshop for children under
my SERVICES – How-to-Draw for ages 5+
NETPARK WELLBEING PROJECT 2016
NetPark Wellbeing Project at Chalkwell Park, which I was part of as a trainee Art Psychotherapist and Art Facilitator. In this beautiful project clients had the Park surrounds to foster a greater sense of wellbeing towards their outdoor experience. Responses to their feelings while walking in the park were used as part of the material for the development of illustrated stories.
