Whitehaven artist Emma Hunt explains new charity and art work

Emma Hunt, of Whitehaven, has also been performing at number of concerts recently including one at Fitz Park in Keswick.

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She is also going to be hosting an exhibition this summer in The Rum Story in Whitehaven, and she is looking to get other artists involved to help to promote their work and give them confidence in their artistic ventures. 

Recently, Emma has been running online sessions, teaching people to draw and helping them destress. She has also been doing classes with people at Women Out West who support those affected by domestic abuse. 

CREATIVE: A piece of work created by Emma

Miss Hunt said: "We all need to take care of our minds, like we do our bodies. Just an hour a week doing something you love is so beneficial to mental health and we can afford one hour but we don’t give ourselves enough love."

Emma suffers from a serious illness called Ehler's-Danlos syndrome and uses art and music as a form of therapy to support her mental wellbeing. 

She has also had experiences with abuse which has had a major impact on her life but says her creativity has helped her through this. 

READ MORE: West Cumbrian artist Emma Hunt uses art and music to cope with trauma

She said: "I didn’t know what to do, there were hardly any services available because sadly, there had been a spike in domestic abuse.

"I fell through the cracks and I knew that I would end up in a very dark place if I didn’t do something to help myself recover.

"Because of trauma bonding, many victims will not wish to leave their abuser, but there’s no judgment, even if a woman wished to stay in the relationship, help is available."

MUSIC: Emma performing at Fitz Park in Keswick

Emma has helped to raise thousands of pounds for a number of charities. One of the charities she also works with is Calderwood House, which supports the homeless, alongside Women Out West.