Lantern Parade and … it’s suddenly become Withy Central
For the next couple of weeks I’m working with lots of groups in Johnson’s Fold, Bolton to create withy lanterns for their lantern parade, organised and funded by Bolton at Home. Here’s one I made as an example…
I’m also about to start making some withy / willow sculptures with a New Charter group in Mossley, Tameside for the RHS Tatton show garden. One of them is going to be an enormous snowman, which feels entirely appropriate after the snow we had last week! I’ll be using brown willow for this so I’m currently soaking the withies in my lovely new ‘water trough’ – a perfect shape and size for the job. I’ll post a picture when I remember to take one…
Mosaic Snail – completed
Realised I hadn’t posted a completed image of mosaic snail paving slab. Here it is alongside some images of process – dampening brown paper and then removing paper from mosaics before cleaning up grout. I suppose I should take one of it in situ too…
RHS Tatton – mosaic workshops
This year I’m working with New Charter on their show garden entry for the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park. New Charter works with residents and young people from their ‘Dream Scheme’ groups to create a garden for the Flower Show – two years ago their entry won a bronze medal so the pressure is on!
I’m working with young people to create different pieces of exterior artwork for the garden including mosaics, withy sculptures and painted pebbles. For the past three weeks I have been working with a group to create bug mosaics to make paving slabs.
We started off doing some designs and drawings of bugs and insects and also practicing how to make mosaics. We’re using the double indirect method, so the group are sticking their designs onto brown paper ready for transfer. I have found this is by far the best method to use when working with young people as it removes the need to use potentially hazardous grout and cement adhesive. Have a look at the work in progress…
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
Community Waste Fund – Waste Creative
Woodend Artists have been successful in gaining funding from Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) to deliver Waste Creative, a project aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge about recycling and promoting the value of waste as a resource in our local community. Working with young people and residents from New Charter Housing in Tameside, Woodend Artists will run a programme of creative workshops and art events which will include designing an information pack, making an animated film and creating junk art and sculpture.
Richard Dawson and myself are the lead artists on the project and we were delighted to be successful in gaining funding to run Waste Creative. I think it’s a great way of getting the local community and young people involved in recycling in a way that’s interesting and creative. The project also includes a communal composting scheme and an initiative which will see local residents elected as Recycling Champions.
Waste Creative will culminate in a big launch and art exhibition at New Charter in Ashton-under-Lyne.
In the meantime, here’s some sculpture created from secondhand and waste materials which were produced in workshops run by Richard Dawson. The workshops were part of the GiveGetGo! Volunteering and Wellbeing Campaign I project managed and designed for Manchester City Council last year. I’ll post more on GiveGetGo! as this month a bus stop poster campaign designed by me is about to be run in Manchester city centre.
Woodend Artists Winter Exhibition
Woodend Artists Winter Exhibition is a group show of work being exhibited at the Riverside Cafe in Uppermill from 30th November – 28th December. The cafe is open from Wednesday to Sunday every week.
This is the poster I designed for the Exhibition, alongisde a flyer and e-flyer.
Being A Freelance Artist 