The Art Therapy Project

If you’re planning your visit to Affordable Art Fair New York, spring edition (28 – 31 March), one not-to-miss feature will be the beautiful limited-edition tote bags for sale, which have been designed by photographer Imogen Forte. Of course, these aren’t just any tote bags – the calming design featuring soaring seabirds was selected as the Grand Prize Winner from hundreds of entries into the Bridgeman Studio Award, 2018. And not only this, by purchasing a tote – you’ll be supporting our Official Non-Profit Partner, The Art Therapy Project.

Imogen, who was in fact the first photographer to win the prize, was commissioned to create a limited-edition tote bag design answering the competition brief; to explore the subject of mental health through art. Using her camera as a tool to practice mindfulness, Imogen’s design features a dreamy shot of seabirds frozen in mid-flight, which she took during her most recent trip to Cuba.

We are strong believers in supporting both emerging artists, and art therapy charities (after all we’ve worked with The Art Therapy Project since 2015!), so it was natural to team up with Bridgeman Images, the leading specialist in art, culture and historic licensing, on the Bridgeman Studio Award 2018, which is the fastest growing contemporary art competition for artists, illustrators, and fine art photographers.

The competition was judged by a stellar panel of experts, including our very own Will Ramsay, Affordable Art Fair Founder & CEO, who worked alongside sculptural powerhouse, Gavin Turk, and the Artists Manager, Aretha Campbell, and CEO of Bridgeman Images, Victoria Bridgeman. The Grand Prize Winner received a £1,500 cash commission for the design of a tote bag, which will be sold at the Affordable Art Fair worldwide.

Printed on Fairtrade cotton, a percentage of sales will be donated to Affordable Art Fair NYC’s long-standing Official Non-Profit Partner, The Art Therapy Project, a mental health organization providing free art therapy services to trauma survivors. As mentioned previously, we have worked with The Art Therapy Project since 2015, with visitors to the fair learning about art therapy – a unique combination of art-making and psychotherapy – through interactive workshops for both kids and adults. We are hugely proud that together, we have enabled The Art Therapy Project to grow from serving 1,500 clients to over 6,000 clients in 2018, providing more than 1,100 free art therapy sessions per year – a huge achievement!

This year, the purchase of each limited-edition tote bag supports the organization’s programs for young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The Art Therapy Project works with several local housing organizations, who help young adults find permanent housing, employment and careers. Art therapy helps to stimulate personal growth and build the confidence necessary for long-term sufficiency.

To purchase your very own limited-edition tote bag and support The Art Therapy Project, visit the Bridgeman Studio Award space on Level 2, where you will also find more of Imogen’s beautiful photographs on display. While at the fair, there is also the chance to support The Art Therapy Project further, by making a one-time donation at the box office when you buy your ticket for the fair.

Main Image:
Tote designed by Bridgeman Award Winner 2018, Imogen Forte, available for sale on The Art Therapy Project stand, Level 2, at Affordable Art Fair New York, spring 2019 edition.

Featured images from first to last:

© Imogen Forte. Untitled. Digital print. All Rights Reserved 2019/ Bridgeman Images.

Bridgeman Images logo, owners of the Bridgeman Studio Award.

The Art Therapy Project logo.
The Art Therapy Project stand at Affordable Art Fair New York.