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Our Journey

How we started, by Qona Rankin

In 2004, two years after I took up the post of dyslexia co-ordinator at the Royal College of Art a number of students complained to me that despite having been taught drawing over many years they found it particularly difficult to draw accurately both from observation and from their mind’s eye.

This led to an interesting collaboration with colleagues at Swansea, Middlesex, UCL and Goldsmiths and has resulted in a series of research papers that have been presented at conferences both national and international and published in journals.

So far, the evidence is inconclusive but there is no denying the fact that many dyslexic and dyspraxic individuals feel that their lack of skill in drawing puts them at a professional disadvantage, (if at school you can draw a likeness you’re encouraged to take art GCSE and you’re labelled ‘creative’, if you can’t, you’re discouraged from doing so).

In a similar vein learning to read music can be a real struggle for people with dyslexia. I have meet many brilliant dyslexic and dyspraxic musicians who succeeded because of tremendous perseverance, and encouragement from family and some enlightened teachers, but without that they probably would have given up.

I began thinking about individuals at school with dyslexia and dyspraxia who couldn’t progress in their chosen creative subject because of the hurdles. This got me thinking about the possibility of teaching these arts subjects in ways that instead of humiliating, frustrating and discouraging, positively encouraged children, not to give up on what could be an avenue to a life-long passion, artistic expression, interesting career possibilities, increased self-esteem and personal fulfilment.

I began writing down some of these thoughts and having discussions with friends and colleagues. And eventually after about a year we settled on the name Creative Mentors Foundation which to me is an embodiment of the ideas, images and words everyone has so generously contributed.

Qona Rankin

Dyslexia & Music

Jul 2016 • Our Journey

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BDA movie

Jul 2016 • Our Journey

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Conference on Dyslexia & Talent

Jul 2016 • Our Journey

Go to video: Conference on Dyslexia & Talent

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Procrastination

Jul 2016 • Our Journey

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Numbers

Sep 2011 • Our Journey

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What do Creative Mentors do?

Mar 2011 • Our Journey

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Drawing Dyslexia

Dec 2009 • Our Journey

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Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and Drawing

Dec 2009 • Our Journey

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Sebastian aged 13

Dec 2009 • Our Journey

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Alexander aged 12

Dec 2009 • Our Journey

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Dyslexia and I

Nov 2009 • Our Journey

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Jazz

Nov 2009 • Our Journey

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Gifted

Nov 2009 • Our Journey

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How we got started

Nov 2009 • Our Journey

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Recent Posts

  • Seacast – Pewter Cast project with Alice McLean
  • Creative Mentors Summer Show 2019
  • Creative Mentors Foundation Summer Exhibition Invitation
  • Everyday Objects / Tactile Structures Project
  • Material Donation from ColArt
  • Products for sale at Bridge School’s Winter Fair, with Alice McLean & Jaz Wharmby
  • Decorations for sale at Charter House Dulwich’s Winter Fair, with Frances Conteh
  • The Big Draw project by Stuart McCaffer at Charter East Dulwich

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