Good News Story: Ria
Ria is a multimedia artist with a learning disability and epilepsy. She first joined the Pyramid Youth Group in 2015 and now spends two days each week working in Development Team sessions with professional artist facilitators, developing her art practice.
Much of Ria’s work is colourful and joyful, but she has also used artwork to share her frustrations with the social care system and to educate others on the challenges that young people with learning disabilities face.
Working with Pyramid has allowed Ria’s art practice to thrive and this has a positive impact on many aspects of her life. Ria has experimented with a diverse range of artforms including printing, large scale paintings and textiles. She regularly attends Leeds Print Workshop as part of her Pyramid sessions which she loves! Her artwork has been featured in a number of exhibitions in spaces including the Leeds Industrial Museum at Armley Mills, Assembly House, and the University of Leeds. Learning new skills and having opportunities to share her talents with the world has greatly boosted Ria’s confidence and self esteem. She is much more confident meeting new people and is working towards travelling to the Pyramid art studio independently.
“Pyramid feels like a family to me as the staff support me in ways that no one else does! Pyramid supports me to do things and go to places that I’d struggle to access on my own because of my epilepsy. I’m so proud to be exhibiting and selling my art. Having staff that listen to me and respect my ideas makes me feel so happy.” – Ria
It is Ria’s ambition to sell more work as a professional artist and she has made a lot of progress with Pyramid’s support. She has postcards for sale in the Pyramid shop and regularly sells jewellery, prints and lampshades at Pyramid’s art markets. Shops and venues across Leeds including Headingley Heart Cafe, Flavour Like Fancy and Ozziez Cafe stock Ria’s artwork. This work is teaching Ria many transferable skills, including managing her money and communicating professionally with customers.
