Transforming old greetings cards into something new and unique is not just an environmentally-sound idea, it’s also a creative outlet for those who make them and an innovative way to raise funds for charity.
When Holmfirth teacher Nigel Clews heard about a project that did just that in another part of the country he thought ‘why not in Huddersfield?’
And so, Community Cards was born.
That was three years ago and since that time the 90 volunteers who collect cards, re-make them and sell them on have raised more than £2,200 for the Welcome Centre at Huddersfield Methodist Mission – a charity that supports the needy with food parcels.
And now Community Cards is being supported by a group of artists who recently opened an exhibition of work, entitled Art4Cards, at the North Light Gallery in Armitage Bridge. Donated work was auctioned at the gallery last week and artists are also giving commission from sales to the card makers. The exhibition is on until June 21. For details of opening times check out www.northlightgallery.org.uk
Nigel explained how Community Cards works: “I started this project with a group of friends and it has grown, so now we have a board of trustees and nine groups that meet regularly to make cards, including a group of students at Greenhead College, groups who meet in churches and groups in people’s homes. We have people who just collect old cards and those who distribute them. They are sold in churches, local schools and shops and at the Welcome Centre.”
It is hoped that Community Cards will eventually get charitable status in its own right, allowing it to continue its work with a higher profile. But at the moment it relies on support from individuals and organisations such as One 17 Design, the Armitage Bridge company that has a charitable trust.
Art4Cards features work by 16 regional artists and covers an eclectic mix of sculpture, craft, abstract and figurative work.
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