I always feel a degree of apprehension before 'having a go'. This could be learning to play the piano, taking part in a ceilidh or being as artistic as the next person.

However, it is well known that art creates a sense of empowerment, it gives a platform for expression that your words cannot always do.

For five weeks over the summer, painters, musicians, poets and sculptors, film makers and playmakers across Powys shared their work with audiences and visitors, culminating in almost 60 events for Powys Arts Month.

Celf O Gwmpas chose this opportunity to invite the public to a glass working session with their trustee and glass artist, Lorraine Powers.

Lorraine is an experienced glass sculptor as well as a trustee and led the group of thirteen glass work novices through a day of constructive creativity at the Celf O Gwmpas gallery in Llandrindod Wells.

Each participant designed a piece of artwork, then cut and soldered the glass to create a real life version of the drawn idea. This could be as simple as a Christmas tree, or as complicated as a winged angel.

It is strange to think of glass as a medium for art and consider that glass does not have to be restricted to milk, Chianti or fresh fruit but can be used to make a sculptural or decorative statement.

From paperweights to birthday present necklaces to buying in pieces of glass art worth tens of thousands of pounds, you need not look very far to find glass artwork.

In almost every town and village across the UK today you can still find a Church building displaying stained glass windows.

Until working with Celf O Gwmpas I had a limited experience of working with adults who have learning disabilities, I am aware however of the prejudices that surround those in our society who are considered different, people who are homeless, burns victims, refugees, or disabled.

An artistic outlet takes a part of ourselves that we can be guilty of suppressing, and putting it on show for others to see. Dancing, acting, painting and sculpture all present a forum for our ability.

This is why the work that Celf O Gwmpas does is invaluable. It takes what people can do, and presents it back to them in all its unique, inspiring and in this case, glass work, glory.

The self-advocacy movement for people with intellectual disabilities struggles to compete with the many other civil rights efforts, such as those related to race, sexual orientation or physical disabilities.

This is due to a variety of factors including the communication challenges which act as a barrier for people with intellectual disabilities.

To find out more about supporting adults with learning disabilities or to be a part of Celf o Gwmpas, please contact Jane Cooke through the redesigned website listed to the right of this page. This also has information on forthcoming events and details of the latest arts projects.

Article by Liz Morrison