Local Artist Sets Up Business With Council Support
A former Cwmbran graffiti artist is sharing his love of art with school children thanks to support from Torfaen council.
Robert Carlton, 45, from Thornhill decided to turn his passion for art into a career four years ago when he was made redundant from his job as an engineer.
However, after sales dried up at the beginning of 2016 he took on a full time job as a chef in a local pub in order to pay the bills.
Now with support from a project designed to help people in Communities First areas set up their own businesses he is back working as an artist full time, and is using his skills to work with the EQUAL project which supports the Gypsy and Traveller pupils at West Monmouthshire School
He said: “At the beginning of 2016 work suddenly dried up. I wasn’t getting commissions and I couldn’t afford to keep up payments on my website, so had to take on another job to make ends meet.
“Fortunately I was put in touch with the Communities First team and was given advice and support with marketing which has helped me to get my name out there, and rebuild my customer base. I was also put in touch with lots of different local networks, and am now working on projects in schools, and have an exhibition in Barnabas Art House in Newport opening this month.”
Richard Murphy from Communities First said: “Communities First areas are some of the most deprived communities in the country with high levels of unemployment, however, there are many people in these communities, like Robert, who have a wealth of skills and expertise, and just need some support to turn them into a business.
“Robert had actually been running his business successfully for a number of years but as with many small businesses and one-man bands, it only takes a few months of poor sales to have a real effect.
“Fortunately with our help he is now back up and running, and is also using his skills to work with local school children to create works of art.”
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