"Beyond the Canvas" was an arts-based mental health initiative created and delivered by Empower Women for Change (EWfC), with funding from See Me Scotland and support from the University of Glasgow's Byres Community Hub. It provided a safe and supportive environment where minority ethnic women could share their experiences of mental health stigma and discrimination. The project

nurtured a community of understanding, using creative art forms to empower participants to express their mental health journeys through storytelling, art and powerful narratives of strength and solidarity.

This project comprised ten weekly workshops designed to inspire self-reflection and creativity through painting, drawing, knitting, cultural expressions and mindfulness. “Beyond the Canvas” culminated in an art exhibition, presented as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival at the Byres Community Hub.

In October 2024, we celebrated the end of our project with an exhibition called “Voices Unveiled” at Byres Community Hub.

This showcase transformed participants' personal stories into captivating public art, gaining recognition for experiences often overlooked or silenced and celebrating vulnerability as a source of resilience. Collaborations with groups like the Byres Hub Knitting Group and Migrant Voices helped amplify these voices, fostering inclusivity and understanding across diverse communities.

The exhibition ran from 4th to 31st October 2024, reaching over 15,000 people including staff and students of the School of Health and Wellbeing, attendees at other public events, daily visitors to the exhibition area, and attendees at the exhibition launch.