ReVisit begins......

On Friday a Night Sites event for Museums at Night kicked off the ReVisit project at the Haworth Art Gallery and weekend full of creative workshops.

Stuart Haygarth's magical new sculptural installation Igloo was unveiled and I hosted Kaleidoscope; in which hundreds of plastic bottle bases were painted in jewel colours to create a growing window installation. As well as getting creative visitors enjoyed bright mocktail drinks served from a very kitsch cocktail fountain in homage to Stuart's wonderful piece!

By closing time on Sunday many hands had worked together to create a delicate piece that sits in a room full of precious Tiffany glass. This is just the start of a programme of workshops that run until the end of June. Visit the Creativity Works site for more information on how to get involved.

Tiffany At The Haworth

On Friday I went to the Haworth Art Gallery in Accrington to explore the Tiffany glass collection for the ReVisit series of workshops. The collection is beautiful, I particularly liked the way that the objects had been displayed on light boxes. The soft diffuse light made the colours shine like jewels. I think I'll draw upon this and fashion my own light box to display the objects we create during the workshops. I also want to utilise the wonderful window spaces in the gallery to create a naturally illuminated installation.

I had chance to discuss my ideas with Yvonne Robins from the Haworth and Laura Rodgers from Creativity Works who have commissioned the project. The plans that are emerging are really exciting. The project kicks off on Friday 13th May with the Museums at Night event. All are welcome to come to the gallery from 6-7.30pm to contribute to a growing installation of kaleidoscopic bottle bases. There are also grand plans to create a kitsch multicoloured mocktail bar complete with a light-up drinks fountain! Co-ordinating art and refreshments, brilliant!

ReVisit Project at the Haworth

Excitingly I've recently been commissioned for a community engagement project at the Haworth Art Gallery in Lancashire. The gallery has a stunningly special collection of Tiffany glass and is currently working with one of my favourite artists Stuart Haygarth to commission a brand new sculptural installation for the historic Arts and Crafts building. Haygarth uses found and reclaimed objects in fascinating ways to create functional and decorative design objects.

I've been given the task of planning and delivering a series of workshops that invite the public into the Haworth to creatively engage with the collection and Stuart's work. In my own work I have an ongoing fascination for pattern and glowing colour so expect something kaleidoscopic and bright inspired by millefiori and stained glass! Watch this space for more information about my research and the ReVisit workshop programme as it develops.

The Kaleidoscope Collective

Since last September I have been working on a project in partnership with the Richmond Fellowship and PSS to deliver creative art sessions for people experiencing mental health difficulties. Over two ten week projects the group have bonded over their shared creativity and have named themselves the Kaleidoscope Collective. I have thoroughly enjoyed leading the weekly sessions which have covered a variety of techniques including monoprinting and ink drawing.

This Friday sees the culmination of a project in response to the Underwater exhibition held at the Bluecoat. The group have worked incredibly hard to create personal projects and artworks using a variety of different media including printmaking, sculpture and animation. Their exhbition In Too Deep is open to the public on the 19th and 20th March and is held at the Bluecoat, Liverpool.

Printmaking

Long time no update! I do apologise. I have been busy I promise. I've been working on some very exciting projects at the Bluecoat in Liverpool with my three brilliant Blue Room groups of wonderful adults with learning disabilities. Recently I've been working with print artists Lisa Wigham and Sam Hickson on a fascinating etching project, making use of the wonderful Intaglio Print Studio at the Bluecoat.

The group learnt how to make soft ground etchings on aluminum plates, before inking them up and sending them through a huge 100 year old press. The etchings, made in response the the Underwater exhibition currently on at the gallery, were absolutely beautiful. I also got excited about printmaking, using an old knitting needle to scratch into shiny card to make etchings of plant cells. I'd love to make some of my prints into miniature artist books.

Bollington Well Dressing Festival

This year the organisers of the Bollington Well Dressing Festival have asked me to create a site-specific installation celebrating the stream at the beautifully named Tinker's Clough. Drawing upon the industrial history of the village and local remembrances of when the River Bollin ran a rainbow of colours due to the dye mills, I developed the Kaleidoscope project.


Working with the local community to decorate hundreds of plastic bottle bases we want to create a kaleidoscopic waterfall of glittering colour and pattern! The sculpture will form part of the 2010 Well Dressing trail and will be open to the public from Saturday 17th July.

Street Feast!

The 10th Chorlton Arts Festival is shaping up to be the best ever! Last weekend was great with the magical lanterns of Flashlight making chorlton sparkle and I managed to fit in a radio appearance (on air origami!) an art fair stall and a paper garlands workshop.

Next Sunday 30th May from 5-7.30pm I'll be at Street Feast, a big celebration to round up the festival. If you came along to my workshop and made a 'Fabulous Garland' please come along and display your handiwork to deck out the picnic. Even if you didn't manage to make the garland workshop you are welcome to bring along your creations to show off! I'll also be there making more junk mail bunting and origami garlands so join in!