Person creating a backdrop for an animation using collaged paper

Learning

Animation and printmaking at ST/ART

See the animations and prints created during our ST/ART Spring School 2025.

ST/ART is a partnership project between our Learning team and Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust (THAT) which has been running since 2004. The project is designed to engage individuals who are isolated by their with long term health conditions, such as head injuries, stroke, MS and chronic pain, with different creative activities as a way to promote health and wellbeing.

For spring, a group of 11 participants took part in two creative courses at DCA. One group learned all about animation and created their own short films in our Create Space. A second group spent time in DCA Print Studio getting to grips with letterpress.

Find out more and take a look at the results below...

Published

Mon 26 May

Written By

DCA Learning

Bringing words to life

The group enjoyed getting an introduction to stop motion animation. Using iPads and a variety of artistic techniques, including drawing, painting and collage, they each animated a word. They all selected a word that was meaningful to them, resulting in some really touching short films which celebrated the power of THAT, the joys of work and the beauty of nature.

The final films were shown in DCA Cinema as part of a celebratory event, which also saw the group say goodbye to long-term Project Coordinator Chris Kelly as he retired from his role.

Paper butterfly on a table beside a leaf made from tissue paper

Photo by Andrew Low

Tutor and participant painting to create an animation

Photo by Andrew Low

Two people animating a drawing of a shopping trolly

Photo by Andrew Low

Two people animating a caterpillar on a leaf

Photo by Andrew Low

ST/ART member and tutor in DCA Print Studio at a table of letterpress equipment

Exploring letterpress

For our spring school session in DCA Print Studio, the group tried their hands at a process we haven't done before as part of the ST/ART project: Letterpress.

This form of printmaking uses moveable wooden and metal type to create a design, which is then printed using a press. They followed the process all the way through, from hand-setting the type and locking it into place, to selecting ink colours and printing their designs.

The final prints were displayed over a weekend in Gallery 1 as part of Spring Holiday Pop-up.

Petal and thorns print made using letterpress

Photo by DCA

Print of The Owl and the Pussycat poem made using Letterpress

Photo by DCA

Rose Garden print made using letterpress and printed in green and red ink

Photo by DCA

Spam! Wonderful Spam print on white and yellow paper

Photo by DCA

Two people working on an animation using a tripod and a remote

Feedback

The group gave positive feedback about both courses, saying they helped to improve their mood and gave them a sense of wellbeing. When asked what they enjoyed most, they mentioned the chance to learn new techniques, the good company and seeing the end results. Here's some more feedback they shared:

It's something to look forward to in a social setting and it's rewarding work.
The atmosphere was encouraging; you’re never on your own – always a member of staff or someone to help.
It's good being part of a team, lots of talking and company.
Made me feel happy.