A new project by Sidmouth School of Art and Sid Valley Help will celebrate the contribution made by volunteers to community life.

The project aims to ‘capture the voice and faces’ of volunteers in Sidmouth and represent them through art.

People involved in volunteering are invited to get directly involved in the project, either by producing their own piece of art or modelling for another artist.

They’re also being asked to take part in an online survey of volunteers which is open for contributions until Tuesday, July 18.

The survey asks people what motivates them to volunteer, how volunteering benefits them and how it helps the community. It also invites views on the challenges of volunteering, such as difficulty in recruiting volunteers or shortage of time for voluntary work, and asks what would help more people to do voluntary work in the local community.

The survey can be found here.

The creative part of the project will take place at a series of small artist-led workshops which need a small group of volunteers to represent the wide cross-section of voluntary work in Sidmouth and the diverse range of people involved. Participants can paint a portrait or make a Plasticine head – or sit for someone else who is painting or sculpting.

The workshops will take place at South West Arts, Old Fore Street, Sidmouth EX10 8LP at the following times and dates:

Natasha Hayball – Portraits – Monday, August 7, from 10am until 2.30pm, and Tuesday, August 8 from  10.30am until 2.30pm

Wilfrid Wood – Plasticine Head Sculpture – Wednesday, August 9 from 10.30am until 12.30, Thursday, August 10 from 10.30am until 12.30pm and from 2pm until 4pm for 11 to 16 year olds.

Anyone interested in taking part in a workshop should email info@sidmouthart.org giving their name, age and the kind of volunteering they do. Spaces are limited – the project leaders will put together a diverse group and let people know either way once places have been allocated. People are welcome to put other volunteers forward for the workshops, with their consent. Group leaders are being encouraged to make their volunteers aware of the project and survey so that they can take part.