Using Art To Heal and Transform

Under The Wing is an art group and social enterprise that was founded by Edinburgh based artist and art educator Sally-Ann Johns. Under The Wing’s goal is to provide free art classes for women and children within the Edinburgh area who have been affected by domestic abuse, as well as raising a broader awareness towards domestic abuse and its impact on families.

These classes are funded by both donations, and by a regular series of workshops that operate under a “pay it forward” model. The proceeds of these workshops, all of which are run and hosted by respected professional artists and open to anyone with a passion for creativity, will go towards funding for the free art classes for women who have been affected by domestic abuse.

The classes provide focus on the healing and nurturing potential of arts and crafts, ranging from the basics of drawing and painting, to different crafting techniques such as weaving, felting, clay, gilding, and simple printing techniques.

All of these classes are facilitated by the group’s founder Sally-Ann Johns, who draws from her own experiences, as a single mother and working artist. This not only fuels her desire to help others receive vital support and care, but also helps her understand the needs and difficulties that any woman dealing with these difficult circumstances will have.