YAK Story – Mollie
Thanks to our supporters, Mollie has found a supportive space to grow her creativity – building confidence, overcoming isolation, and taking positive steps towards becoming a professional artist.
YAK has played an important role in Mollie’s creative journey, helping her feel less isolated, build confidence, and take positive steps towards becoming a professional artist.
Before joining YAK, Mollie struggled to find creative opportunities and support. “I felt very isolated and didn’t know what my next steps would be,” she explains. “I couldn’t find the help that I needed to progress with my art.” Joining YAK gave her a clear, supportive space to develop her practice and connect with others.
Finding YAK and building confidence
Mollie first heard about YAK through a friend she met at college, who described it as a place to do art and be creative. Before this, Mollie had taken part in an online draw-along with professional artists, but hadn’t been involved in anything quite like YAK.
Since joining, Mollie has built strong friendships and grown in confidence. “I knew a couple of people already, but I am now more confident and have made a lot more friends,” she says. Through YAK, she’s also met artists, followed their work online, and begun building creative networks.
“I knew a couple of people already, but I am now more confident and have made a lot more friends.”
Supporting wellbeing
YAK has helped Mollie manage social anxiety and feel more comfortable being open about her disability. “I now speak to people I don’t know with more confidence,” she explains. “I’m not scared of being judged, and I am more happy with who I am.”
Having a regular creative space has also supported her mental health and motivation. YAK is something Mollie looks forward to and genuinely enjoys, giving her a sense of purpose and routine.
“I’m not scared of being judged, and I am more happy with who I am.”
Learning from artists and trying new things
Access to supportive staff and resources has been a key part of Mollie’s experience. “Beth, the group leader, constantly gives me support and help,” she says. Mollie has enjoyed experimenting with different materials and techniques, from badge making to ceramic coasters, as well as learning directly from visiting artists.
“Beth, the group leader, constantly gives me support and help.”
Exhibiting work at Firstsite and looking ahead
Mollie took part in the YAK: Culture of Curiosities exhibition at Firstsite. While the process felt challenging at first, it became a valuable learning experience. With encouragement and support, Mollie revisited her ideas, developed her work, and gained confidence along the way.
Seeing her artwork displayed in a professional gallery was a proud moment. “My family came with me, and it was amazing to see my artwork on the wall,” she says. “It made me feel very accomplished and excited for my artistic journey.”
Being part of YAK has made Mollie more open to new opportunities. Her goal is to become a professional artist and work as a character designer in an animation studio. She’s excited to keep learning about the animation industry, meet more artists through YAK, and continue selling her work in the Firstsite shop.
Your support helps create opportunities for more young people like Mollie across Colchester and East Anglia to develop their creativity, gain industry experience, and build the confidence, skills, and networks needed to shape their future.
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Your support helps us create life-changing opportunities for young people through Young Art Kommunity (YAK), including:
• Free access to creative workshops, resources, and opportunities
• Mentoring from artists and creative professionals
• A supportive community where young people can develop skills, confidence, and connections
Your donation today can help more young people overcome barriers, realise their creative potential, and build a brighter future through the arts.
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