Success! Hyde Park Community Orchard Artwork…
Last year myself and two other artists (Ann Gilligan and Richard Dawson) were successful in gaining a commission to create artwork (pending funding) for the Hyde Park Community Orchard in Hyde, Greater Manchester. Just before Christmas we found out the Community Spaces funding bid had been successful and we have now started the project.
The artwork will include an outdoor classroom, a wildlife trail and an entrance feature all informed by work produced in sessions with local schools and community groups. The final pieces will feature a number of different techniques and materials including wood, cast-stone and mosaics.
There are lots of other things happening in the Orchard so keep an eye on the Operation Farm blog for more details. I’ll also be posting about the ‘art’ side of things regularly!
Working with your local partners and organisations
I’ve just been to a local youth partnership meeting and it’s caused me to reflect on the benefits of getting involved in your local community – in both a personal and professional capacity. At the meeting this afternoon were: councillors, representatives of the (very active and successful) residents association, housing association regeneration and community staff, youth workers / senior managers and various other bods, including me, an artist.
I’ve found getting involved and being active in your local community is a great opportunity to meet, not only local commissioners of community arts but also to develop stronger links, discover what’s going on in the area and gain advice and insight into projects and upcoming developments. Its also a good way of highlighting your own projects and activity and sourcing help and support for your own work.
On a personal note, I learnt about a gardening group that a friend might be interested in and that the Council are currently doing a consultation on local libraries and they haven’t had much response. So I’m off to the library this afternoon to wave my flag of support (not only is it brilliant for books but it’s a lovely warm place to work in too).
So – Tip of the Day: go to some local meetings. It might take up an afternoon when you could otherwise be earning money but it’s worth it to network and meet the movers and shakers…
Quite the Culture Vulture
Fellow Woodend Artist member and artist Pat Baker invited me to the theatre this week. We trotted off to see ‘Two’ by Jim Cartwright at the Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester. Starring (predictably) just two actors, Justin Moorhouse and Victoria Elliot, the play is set in a pub whereby they play the landlord and landlady and then a variety of characters / couples that come into the pub. Justin Moorhouse is well known for his role in Phoenix Nights (the guy that spends the whole second series with his face painted as a tiger) amongst many other roles and comedy parts.
I really enjoyed it (for all that I don’t often go to see ‘normal’ acting plays) but was very glad I wasn’t sat on the stage level seating where Moth the smooth ladeez man attempted to try it on with almost every single person. Very funny for the rest of us, though…
The stage design was very simple except for the chandelier that was created from a few hundred suspended pint glasses and tankards. Looked great with the lighting and multiple piece suspended artwork is a format that always hits the spot with me. I can’t find a picture of it but the designer was Amanda Stoodley. Instead of an image of her work, here’s an image / detail of my suspended artwork…(dodgy connection, I know)
Together We Are Greater - suspended origami artwork by Jacqui Symons
Being A Freelance Artist 