New Artists for Shared Heritage

Following a Shared Heritage meeting on Sunday 23rd August we were able to invite three new artists who will hopefully be able to join us from this Autumn. All three submitted CVs and proposals and each has attended a workshop to meet either Dorothy or Viv. We are really excited to have new talent on board and hope it will be the start of a strong and fruitful relationship which will be of real benefit to local communities in south west London who we currently serve. So you maybe asking who they are...watch this space we can't give everything away immediately...

Junior Club 18 Aug 09

Dorothy held an excellent workshop today at the Settlement. The variety of ideas and things to make were very exciting ranging from the meadow to bugs, snakes and flowers. The 10 or so young people engaged in the activity kept focused for the whole 2 hours traveling from table to table to participate in the various activities. By the end of the session Dorothy had created with them a 'dry felt' piece which had all the various items they had created attached on. As their key worker pointed out: “You can take the learning from the weaving looms and do something else such as make scarves, t-shirts. They can take skills learnt from your weaving session. Fantastic, Creative.”

Katherine Low Older People's Group - 11 Aug 09

Viv delivered a session with the older people's group some of whom were amazed that they were able to make things such as textile flowers which they could proudly display in their home. Others felt excited that skills they had from childhood were being rekindled which benefited their sense of confidence. The general consensus was a fun and rewarding afternoon had by all. Talking with the main organiser we discussed how workshops such as these could help bridge generational gaps between the different groups hosted by the Settlement. The possibilities for intergenerational work and fostering new relationships where volunteer tutors from a young persons group could teach skills to older people's groups and vice versa were something we could explore. 

New Horizon Centre, Pollards Hill Merton Sat 1st Aug 09

Just returned from the open day workshop at Pollards Hill at the New Horzion Centre there. Viv has designed a very manageable and appealing workshop and many young people were popping over to the table to take part. i took a number of photos as they got stuck in which you should be able to see with this blog.  Viv provides participants with all they need including fresh towels to dry their hands with after the have been using the soap and water to make the felt. With the large loom/ small looms and the threads/ felt and  other materials it can be quite a bit to bring along - feels very well prepared. The participants also made the flowers on the mini loom. it maybe in an earlier blog i recall Viv telling me that she was going to experiment with this. it works well and participants pick it up quickly and can see the benefits of their efforts. Viv has a vision now of how her workshops will produce the end pieces - she envisages participants making the large felt piece using shades of green and then working with them to create flowers and bugs/ insects which will make a panel that can be shared at the various centres we are working at. Viv may also like to create similar pieces using blues to create a water based panel. watch this space!

First workshop at Katherine Low Settlement in Wandsworth - 24 July 09

Today’s workshop was excellent. A great energy. The weaved felt looked great and the young people loved it. I loved the way they adapted the activity into a game and started counting who could weave the felt fastest on the loom (one for the worksheets when we make them). Viv also made flowers with them so that had an individual creative activity to be getting on with. Despite the early protestations of one of the boys that he could not sew with gentle encouragement from Viv he overcame his shyness and ended up really enjoying the sewing and doing a good job. It is something we need to keep in mind however as we develop our textiles work that boys and men need to be integrated into the projects. I know Viv is thinking of doing insects and bugs if another workshop can be set up. Viv looked very happy with the way things were going when I left and suggested that it would be good to do an additional session with the group to finish of their work. Viv also suggested that this maybe good to have with the other groups we are working with this Aug.