Watch: See what makes folk happy as people helped by the Susan Vickers Foundation proudly display their art in Wolverhampton

“What Makes Us Happy: A Celebration of Joy, Hope & Human Connection” was officially launched on Saturday by the Mayor of Wolverhampton Craig Collingswood, with Wolverhampton West MP Warinder Juss watching on.

Susan Vickers, as part of her foundation’s work, alongside fellow director Julia Farrell has given people of all ages but of shared experiences of care, the chance to choose a picture or produce a piece of artwork to contribute to the free exhibition.

More than 60 of them have already visitedthe exhibition, and others at the art gallery, with  Wolverhampton South East MP Part McFadden  also supporting the exhibition,

Susan, who launched her foundation in March 2024 said many people she met through it told her they had never been to a gallery, theatre or museum, with people who had experienced foster care particularly impacted.

She said: “They have not had the stability to visit a gallery on a regular basis.

 “It’s a huge loss in people’s lives and seeing contributors visiting their displayed artworks has been heart-warming. 

“They all have one thing in common, the shared experience of care whether that is through fostering or adoption or some other means and working with them in the foundation made me think what is it they themselves like doing?

“Each piece in the collection tells a unique story of hope and human connection, offering visitors an intimate glimpse into the experiences and perspectives of some of our community’s most resilient individuals. 

“The artwork spans various mediums and styles, unified by themes of joy, optimism, and the universal experiences that connect us all.

“It really is amazing the variety of pieces on display, although you are talking a wide age range of 5-71 in terms of people who have contributed.

“”For some of them it has been something as simple as a picture of a McDonald’s Happy Meal, for others a picture of Diogo Jota the Wolves player who tragically died or for others a picture from a concert they may have been to.

“Just to see their faces when they see something that they’ve done and experience that they didn’t think was accessible to them is a joy and they have visited other areas of the gallery as well.

“The official launch was a wonderful occasion with Mayor Collingswood and others there and many say they will be back before it ends.”

The exhibition will run until August 29 at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.