Art.Works

It’s the Jubilympics!

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Thu, 31 May 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Not one to miss out on a party I’ve had a right royal month creating for up and coming events of summer. So imagine my delight when two summer events fall into my lap this month.

First up, The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, an excuse to paint the town in patriotic colours, wave a flag and eat cake. And it’s an opportunity to get arty too!

On Saturday 4^th May I had a sell out success as children and their families flocked to Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre to create their own celebratory crockery. It seems everyone wanted to mark the event as the public gathered around craft tables designing and colouring their Jubilee Plates, no doubt ready for their street part this weekend. I’m quite sure Mage would be pleased as punch to see her regal portrait replicated by so many eager Rochdale kids. In fact, the arty session proved so popular it had to close before time as I ran out of resources!

I was delighted when I received the commission to create a gigantic table cloth celebrating Gallery Oldham’s 10^th Birthday and of course the royal event of the year, the Jubilee. Out came the markers once more as I doodled past street parties from Oldham’s smoggy archive. I thoroughly enjoyed searching through sepia photographs, stumbling on drizzly day photographs of children waving flags, the Queen’s visit to the cotton mills and a fully adorned Farantis Factory, covered from top to bottom in banners and bunting declaring ;’ God Save The Queen’.

And now Oldham have a nine meter cloth fit for an artist banquet. The illustrations feature street scenes, a marching band, the queen’s corgi’s and not forgetting the magic ingredient marmite, no picnic would be complete without it!

And so on to the Olympics. I’ve just today finished my thoroughly enjoyable week as artist for Holy Trinity Primary School’s Olympics Week. The kids have been more active than a pentathlete squad this week, racing, swimming, long jumping, to name but a few! Luckily they managed to squeeze in enough time to make some masterpieces to mark their week too.

Working with each class I created artistic activities to match the Olympic country they were representing. From raging Chinese dragons to massive Matisse murals, from the delicatly decorated plates of Greece to the chaotic paint splashes of Pollack, each class took part in making sensational art. Their finished work will be showcased in the school this week, what an artistic adventure!

Finally, don’t miss out on the Jubilympics fun, on Saturday 2^nd June you can join me at Touchstones for an arty Jubilee party 10.30am- 3.30pm, and on Thursday why not come and create an Olympics coaster at Rebecca’s Coffee Shop, Littleborough, 10am – 12 noon. See you there!

Make it in March! (or add it to April...)

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 20:59:00 +0000

I’m sure I’m not the only one who remembers to tell people about amazing events after they’ve happened? Let’s face it, if it wasn’t for the scribbled, criss cross calendar in the kitchen would you really remember birthdays of far flung relatives?

I struggle remembering what day of the week it is, let alone who’s candles will be blown out next, so it might not come as much of a surprise that I’m one of ‘those’ people who enthusiastically tell others about an art session after it’s taken place, oops!

So to help clear my conscience and keep you in the loop here’s a list of some smashing spring sessions that you can take part in this month and next:

Wednesday 28^th March: Make a coaster mosaic, Rochdale Emporium
Thursday 5^th April: Family Creations, Rebecca’s Coffee Shop, Littleborough, 10am-12noon
Friday 13^th April: Make a coaster mosaic, Rochdale Emporium

And look out in May for an exciting garden mosaic making day in Littleborough, felt jewellery and printing in Rochdale, and as for June and July... crickey, we’ve hardly even scratched the surface...

I’ll still be running my schools sessions, crash, bag and walloping across the classrooms of Rochdale. I’m still causing chaos in a costume at Touchstones museum and I’m currently creating several illustration commissions for business across the North West. Without your enthusiastic involvement in my arts sessions I’d be left painting the garden fence. So get that calendar off the wall and make sure you make a date for an Art.Works workshop.

Go on, squeeze it in, right there next to great Auntie Mildred’s 76^th birthday!

Feel good in February!

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:46:00 +0000

There's lots of reasons to feel good in February, the days begin to stretch a little longer. Spring bulbs suddenly add a burst of colour where once it was just one long stretch of murky muddy brown and, as if that's not enough, Oldham run their ' well good arts' event!

It's a glorious celebration of all things arty, from interactive performance to Zumba Gold (strictly for over 60s). African drumming to arty bike riding, it's a festival devoted to the feel good factor of arts. Needless to say its something I was delighted to be involved in.

My task was to devise an interactive doodle, introducing the activities on offer and inviting arty participation, so how do I do is?

Step one: research the activities on offer, contact printers to make sure i now the scale of my pictures

Step two: get designing, doodling and creating

Step three: draw up designs in pencil and marker

Step four: send the designs to the printers, who print them off 100 times, what a reel!

Step five: my designs are scattered and plastered across the venue for Oldham's 'Well Good Arts' festival. Kids are doodling into the design, mums are carefully colouring in the lines and coasters are placed upon them as they cover the tables in the cafe.

In fact; They're in the entrance, they're up the stairs, they're in the cafe. Take a look in the library when choose your book!

So feel inspired, feel good, get some well good arts into your life as you spring into February!

Oh and thankyou to @Traffordmedia for doing a great print job for me.

Beat the January blues, adult craft courses

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 10:52:00 +0000

Hello all and a happy new year.

Art.Works' theme this January is 'New Year, New stART' (see what I did there?!), beat the winter blues by dipping into new adlut art sessions I will be running at Ebor Studios, Littlebough (see the link at the bottom of the email for directions.

the sessions are an informal hands on introduction to three art forms: silk painting, mosic making and felt making. They promise to be a relaxed and fun way to spend those dreary winter mornings. You do not need to book onto each session, just the ones you fancy, however, you will need to book proir to the date.

each session is £10, including all materials and copius amounts of tea!

all the information can be found on the attached poster.

I look forward to meeting you there

Ebor studios address: Ebor Studio, William Street, Littleborough. OL15 8JP

View Larger Map

My month in Pictures...

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:29:00 +0000

October has seen a flood or illustration commissions for me so, for a change from my usual blog I thought I’d share some with you.

At the start of the month I was approached by Rochdale shopping centre to create some crafty creatures to celebrate Bonfire Night. Here’s a fearful Fawkes and a adorable little lady munching on her toffee apple to wet your appetite before I run the kids activity this weekend.

Mid October saw spiders crawling up and down the woodwork during Touchstones ‘Tree-tastic Family Fun Day’. Little fingers made scary spiders as we transformed old milk bottle tops into shiny shimmering spiders ready to decorate houses for Halloween.

By the end of October it was back to the drawing board as I completed a commission to celebrate the annual Big Draw for Oldham Art Gallery. I designed and created an eight meter townscape of Oldham past and present ready for kids to colour and doodle.

The community’s contributions during October’s closing weekend brought a vibrant flourish to the final days of the month.

New School Year, New stART!

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:15:00 +0000

September; the leaves on the trees turn from emerald green to copper coated auburn, the sun is enveloped in cooler rays , there’s a nip in the air as it sinks from the sky earlier and earlier. But it’s not all changing landscapes and bitter winds, don’t nestle down into your duvet quite yet because September also heralds the launch of the new Workshops Programme at Art.Works!

Hot off the success of Summer Term I’m now booked out and geared up to offer an exciting range of art sessions across schools and community centres alike. The new publicity went down a storm as schools eagerly booked their art fix for the new term ahead. From felt making in Smallbridge, to silk painting in Middleton, family fun days in Rochdale to creative co-op classes for school clusters, this promises to be the most action packed term to date!

But do not fear, swallow the panic, you’re not too late! I am now taking schools bookings for the New Year, and adults won’t miss out either. January sees the launch of Art.Works very fist Adult Craft sessions. So grab your diary, dust off those dungarees (or whatever artistic costume takes your fancy), it’s a new term, new stART!

Download Felt Making Leaflet here.

Download Adult Workshop Leaflet here

Summer Fun Come Rain or Shine

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 21:16:00 +0000

So the school holidays don’t necessarily mean day to day sunshine, indeed in these northern valleys just a glimmer of the sun’s rays causes a flurry of excitement. But the damp dreary days of a Rochdlian summer couldn’t put a downer on the Art.Works summer if it tried. And just as well as there was far too much animated play to be had.

From jumping in and out of character to entertain families at Touchstones to painting the people of the borough to celebrate a fest of festivals it’s been an action packed month from start to finish.

To set off the summer I ran art sessions in Rochdale’s Broadfield Park using nature to inspire some amazing artistic displays which we exhibited outside for passersby to enjoy. Families had great fun as we discovered the magical beasties that inhabit Broadfield Park’s willowy trees and deep dark hedges. Weaving magnificent materials together with our beautiful branches and wild flowers we created the most enchanting of creatures to ever crawl the planet.

Throughout the summer I hopped back and forth in time on a time travellers’ yoyo as I took families on a journey into mysterious myths of Ancient Egypt. From gruesome green gods to fantastical adorned pharaohs families were ready and raring to go, delving into Egypt’s beguiling past.

Jump forward a couple of hundred years and I invited the families of Rochdale to hop on board the Touchstones Express and chug along train tracks back in time to the Victorian era. We fantasised about riding donkeys along beaches, we booed and hissed at the Punch and Judy Show and we dipped our toes into the fresh waters of that well known holiday hotspot Hollingworth Lake. Come again? Why, the Victorian bank holiday Mecca of Hollingworth Lake of course! Back in the day it was a hive of activity, the leisure line bringing visitors in their hundreds to soak up the atmosphere of Littleborough’s well loved lake. And all this without leaving the comfort of an education studio...

And back to the present day Hollingworth Lake played hosted to yet another Art.Works activity on a rare sunny Sunday. Rolling back my sleeves and squeezing my sponge I painted more tigers, lions and spider men this side of the Hollywood skyline, helping raise funds for Friends of Littleborough Station (FOLS). Children were transformed from little angels to menacing monsters as their faces were painted and their new persona unleashed, with a little helping hand from yours truly. Luckily those who missed their chance I ran several sessions for different organisations across the borough throughout the summer, so, if you did happen to see a tiger prowling down the high street there’s a good chance I’d seen him too!

So who needs the sun to shine when there’s so much colour and animation in an Art.Works summer of fun. If we’d had the heat too this blog would be so sunny, you’d have to read it wearing your shades!

Out Of The Classroom And Into The County!

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 20:11:00 +0000

Just before the summer term drew to a close and classrooms up and down the country spilled out into the summer I took my characters out of the museum to into the community. From Liverpool to Bolton, Middleton to Milnrow I had every area covered in my mission to mesmerise the people of Lancashire.
Year six pupils from schools across Liverpool took part in the fast paced performance ‘Oh What a Lovely War’. They were evacuated, boarded a train, entered the dank and dingy atmosphere of the Anderson shelter, and even joined the home front, all without leaving the room.

The Pupils adored meeting Margret the land girl, but when Mrs Dylan introduced them to local sheep farmer Mr Hingginsbottom, an evacuee host they were less than impressed. Who wouldn’t want to spend sleepless nights slept on a hay stack at the back of a barn? Kids, these days, they’ve got it made! I took on each character making the pupils laugh, jump, cower and ‘pay attention’ in fine 1940s manner, even if all the characters looked peculiarly similar...

Back on the road again, another costume change and another character as I entertained Year Ten pupils taking part in a Further Education residential at Bolton University. Elegantly dressed and simply eloquently spoken I played the part of Head of Music, wife to the murdered Head teacher at Hassalholf High School. Cryptically guiding pupils (many a melodramatic hand to forehead and bemoaned sigh) through clues and information I helped them weave their fragments of knowledge together and find the dastardly culprit. Lots of dramatic outburst, hot gossip and scandalous accusations rebounded through the day, proving just the right amount of entertainment to engage tired teenagers at the end of their four days away.

But it wasn’t just children and young people who took part in the dramatic events of June and July. One blistering hot Sunday in early July, I polished my boots; I picked up my cane and scowled a sour glower as I went in search of communities to take part in the infamous ‘Miss Grim Victorian Schoolroom Experience’.
Running the session as part of a day of acting and celebration to mark Middleton’s New Heritage Trail over 80 adults and children in total entered Middleton’s Old Grammar School. Immediately they were escorted back in time as I ‘taught’ them the rules and practice of a Victorian classroom. Even the Mayor was quaking in his boots as his idle chatter was met by an instantly silencing stare from Miss Grim.

Apprehension mounted as more ‘inadequate pupils’ failed to meet the high standards of the classroom, the finger stocks and close proximity of the cane soon put heed to nervous laughter. But, I’m told fun was to be had by all, and once the real ‘Miss Grim’ (or a far sunnier Cat) emerged at the end of the session the relief was palpable in the room!

So, Art.Works doesn’t just deal with pictures and painting (which I’ve also been doing with schools this term), and the characters may not just be kept closeted away in the classroom. Be warned readers, next time you attend a heritage open day, the dunce hat might just be one you!

Stories behind the School’s Silks

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Mon, 23 May 2011 18:31:00 +0000

So does art really offer a therapeutic release? If you came to Brownhill Learning Community last week you may have thought so.

Brownhill is a small specialist school, based across three sites in Rochdale. It works with pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties. According to the school’s mission statement Brownhill:

‘Tolerates a wide variety of behaviours (but does not accept them as inevitable and unchangeable)’

And yes, there may have been secure fencing, there may have been aggressive outburst from beyond the art room walls, some disgruntled looks as the lads entered the room. But once inside pupils participated and produced some amazing silk painting.

Last month pupils across each learning site explored themes of UNICEF’s ‘Rights and Responsibilities’, and they animatedly illustrated the conventions. From
dripping clean water taps to secure and safe housing, the charter was brought to life through their considered depictions. I had the daunting task of sieving through the images, selecting pictures to draw onto six delicate silks.

And last week we brought the simple silks to life, they simply bound with colour and texture! Each fragment of the silken canvas’ painted with such care and consideration it makes Michael Angelo look like a cow boy decorator!

So don’t just mar each ‘bad lad’ you see hanging round the street corner with the same brush, he might just be a dedicated artist committed to creating some sensational silks...

An Easter Egg-travaganza in the Park

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:51:00 +0000

Easter activities sprang into action on Tuesday when Littleborough Library
played host to an egg-citing afternoon of craft, play and explore.

The kids where queuing around the door as the sun enticed people to Hare Hill
Park. Families and friends were ready and rearing to go, taking part in the
Great Easter Egg Treasure Trail, weaving around the gardens, into daffodils and
through the tulips.

Carefully crafted Easter bonnets where displayed with pride. The judge looked
on with nervous apprehension, as the bonnets became even more elaborate as
the afternoon progressed, the thought of so many expectant eyes desperate to
be crowned best bonnet loomed ever closer...

Children and adults alike delighted in crafting a beautiful Easter bunny or chick
pen topper with Art.Works, fashioning fabulous designs ready to add a little
sparkle to their writing tasks back home. From polka-dotted chickens to patch
work bunnies, the library became littered with more paper pets than there are
lambs in the Littleborough landscape!

The enjoyable afternoon was rounded off as I was given the tricky task to
judge the Easter bonnet competition. As the crafters waited patiently I tip-toed
around the hats noting delicately weaved ribbons, fluffy chicks springing out
of eggs and even a fancy fence following the brow of the bonnet. Competition
was though; the children crossed their fingers while the judge looked for the
nearest emergency exit! Never before have I felt the eyes of of so much nervous
anticipation waiting beyond the windows of the judging room.

But as the winners were announced and the bonnets applauded all had to agree
each and every hat was a fantastic piece of inspiration. And, what with the
treasure trail, the creative craft, the face painting, the quizzes, the prices, the
teas, the coffees, the orange squash everybody trailed out of Hare Hill Park
simply brimming with the joys of spring. What a simply cracking afternoon!

Six Splendid Silks

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:23:00 +0000

Splendid! Surely it’s the only way to describe such a sensation week at Holy Trinity Primary School in Littleborough. Nowhere else would you see such super children, such dedicated designers, such enthusiastic artists, such a happy facilitator.

As the sky finally allowed the sun to break through, and bright daffodils crept through thawing ground, I walked to work with a spring in my step, creating six splendid silks with the eager pupils. Having drawn up their designs over half term I enjoyed working with children across the school to create silks which shine brightly with creative care and attention.

Before half term pupils of Holy Trinity designed the beautiful silk banners to illustrate each season of the church’s calendar. From Advent to the Epiphany, Lent to Easter each season was brought to life through the pupils’ animated designs.

Over three days the pupils selected gracious shades to sweep across the silk learning how to blend, mix and merge inks across the delicate silks. Only such avid care and attention could result in such truly inspiring banners which illustrate the liturgical calendar.

Kean to enhance the intricate banners I then enjoyed sewing the silks onto backing material ready to hang in time for the next church celebration, Lent.

And the only downside of the project? Handing back the beautiful banners to the school! Thanks to all the gifted children who took part, their church service will shine all year round.

Have a Hammer over Half Term

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 20:14:00 +0000

So, half term, a time for sitting back, reflecting, watching the rain drum against the window pane? Excuse me! I don’t think so, and nor do the participants in Art.Works half term fun packed arts sessions either I’ll have you know!

I’m pleased to announce last Monday saw the members of St Andrew’s Parish, Dearnly brave the weather and come crashing into the church corridors, quite literally! Over 30 members took part in a mass mosaic making workshop. While some may think the church is a place for quiet contemplation and solitude the parishioners made the walls reverberate with their laughter, their industrious tile cutting and constant tea and coffee supplying. Where else could you find a sixty year old grandmother brandishing a hammer (and safety spectacles I might add) on one side of the room, and a teenage Grandchild dutifully brewing up on the other?

We had an amazing amount of fun, as young guided the old and old chastised the older in a bid to create one cracking mosaic. We may not have finished the board quite yet, but I for one am looking forward to another session, safe in the knowledge that I’ll receive a delicious slice of homemade cake to keep the energetic activity, and enjoyable chitter chatter, flowing.

And that’s not all! Thursday saw the creation of over 25 hand printed bags and T shirts as Art.Works delivered a printing workshop for Woodland’s Primary Half term activity programme. It didn’t take long for the inventive youngsters to scribble down their ideas to create some sensation prints.

From t shirts splashed with puppy dog paws to bags which flaunted oceanic scenes in the sea, children created a great diversity of designs that would make even the buyers of Topshop squirm with envy!

So, all this, and drawing up the designs for six lectern silk paintings recently commission for Art.Works, half term may not be a holiday, but for Art.Works it’s always brimming with fun!

Starting the Year with a Bang!

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 19:37:00 +0000

And a crash, and a whollop! Yes, all those who are keen followers of the blog will know I’m talking about mosaic making, full steam ahead!

It’s been over a year in the planning, but thanks to the dogged determination of Friends of Littleborough station’s (FOLS) Stuart Carmichael, the biggest mosaic to date is making all the right noises along the Calder Line.

Back in 2009 FOLS approached Art.Works to make a mosaic, brightening up the platform for Littleborough’s train travellers. Together we approached various funding bodies, and thanks to Stuart’s persuasive persistence funding came through thanks to the Yorkshire bank, STEAM and the Pennines Township. Then the fun could really begin.

During the Autumn term local schools and community groups scribbled down their Milltown memories, all hoping to be included in the mosaic’s final design. From canal barges chugging along the Rochdale canal to Sladen mill, one of the final factories of LIttleborough. From quaking ducks to the village’s viaduct arches, the budding artist were keen no local landmarks would be left on the slag heap. And the result? It’s chugging along nicely thank you very much.

During January pupils from Alice Ingham, Holy Trinity and St Andrew’s Primary Schools have crashed and smashed tiles, they’ve meticulously fitted them together again to create a beautiful platform picture. Their carefully produced masterpiece is guaranteed to cheer any bleary eyed Monday morning commuters.
But it’s not over yet!

Art.Works is pleased to be running the final mosaic making session over half term with people just like you! Art.Works and FOLS want locals to come together and make their mark.

We will be running a community mosaic making session on Monday 21st February from 10am at St Andrew’s Church Hall,. Arm Road, Dearnley OL15 8NJ. So why not come along to set your tile, make sure that next time the train’s delayed you’ll be proudly standing on the platform admiring your perfect picture.

For more information about the mosaic making session on Monday 21st February contact Cat Jessop: art.works.coop@gmail.com

Mobile: 07816168981

Festive Felting Fun.

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 17:57:00 +0000

Stuck for a last minute Christmas gift for creative kids? Always fancied felting but not managed to attend one of our workshops? Never fear, Art.Works is here. Like a little Christmas elf swaddled in a woolly jumper and tinsel (and that’s just to keep out the cold!) I’ve been busy creating the perfect crafting kits for creative kids and adults alike.

Art.Works’ ‘Funky Felt Making Kits’ are a great introduction to felting and inspire an imaginative afternoon willed with fabric, soap suds and more giggles than the jokes in your crimbo cracker (guaranteed!).
Felting is an ecological art form, mixing fibres to form shapes and pictures. It’s a hands on process which, with a little elbow grease, compresses material together, transforming a wool fibre into a trendy fashion accessory.
Each kit contains a full colour step by step instruction booklet and all the resources needed to make a beautiful button broach. All you need to provide is a mat, a flat surface and a twinkle of energy.

Kits cost just £10 (plus postage and packaging) each and are available to mail order. To make sure you receive your ‘Funky Felt Making Kit’ before Christmas place your order by Friday 19th December. Just drop me a line either via email: art.works.coop@gmail.com or phone: Cat Jessop: 07816168981 and I’ll wrap up your kit with a dusting of festive cheer, chuffed with the knowledge that someone somewhere will be making a masterpiece this Christmas.

Alternatively kits are available to buy from the following stockists:

Gallery Ten, Rochdale
Pumpkins Interiors, Littleborough
The Crooked House, Littleborough
Touchstones Arts and Heritage Gallery, Rochdale

Unleash Your Inner Child

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Recently I’ve had many questions regarding my illustration; do you sell your
pictures? (Oh, yes!) Do you do commissions? (Oh yes!) Is the picture of the
monster actually a self portrait! (hell, no!).

So in a change to the regular blog format, charting what Art.Works has been
up to over the last couple of weeks (running family fun days, continuing the
residency and securing funding for a new mosaic project since you ask) I
thought I’d give you a couple of illustrations to print off and enjoy.

Now remember, colouring ain’t no child’s play, it takes a keen eye and diligent
mind to keep the colour chart flowing. Go on, I dare you, drag out the rusty tin
of crayons that’s gathering dust on the book shelf or swirl some primary colours
across an old plate. Mix and match media; paint, cut, crayon and create!

The nights have well and truly drawn in, so there’s every reason to add a little
colour to these dismal grey days. Send a picture of your finished masterpieces
into Art.Works, either via email: art.works.coop@gmail.com or post them up on
the Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/artworks and if you’re incredibly
imaginative I bet you could colour in front of X Factor...

Mummies and Pharohs

Family Tree Pictures

Scary Monster

Cameras Capture Co-operative Art

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 19:39:00 +0000

It seems a rose tinted memory now, picture the sense, June, a balmy day blows blossom onto the bustling streets of Rochdale. An animated crowd gather in eager anticipation, then wham, bam, yes you can! The people of Rochdale come together to create an amazing piece of public art to celebrate Co-operatives Fortnight.

Those of you who regularly follow the blog you may remember reading about this exciting event back in June, you may have even picked up a pastel and taken part yourself, but to those of you who missed out on this fun filled afternoon don’t panic! I can now exclusively show the film (created by Peace Effects Media) made to celebrate the co-operative collection of participators who took part in the event.

So dim your light, grab your pop-corn and share in our Co-operaitve Fortnight event by watching 60 seconds of show stopping art creation. Enjoy!

*HUGE thanks go to Peace Effects Media for creating the film and the pupils and staff at Alice Ingham Primary School for giving permission for the film to be used on the blog.

Kentmere Kids Prove a Challenge to the Roman Masters

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 18:02:00 +0000

We all know those Romans were a productive lot, while the Celts were busy applying the mud and manure to their out houses the Romans were busy creating geometric stone walls, taking part in vigorous army training and creating marvellous mosaics.

But, in truth, were their designs as animated and colourful as the kids’ from Kentmere? I think not!

Because this week, inspired by the lifestyles of their industrious iron age forefathers, Kentmere pupils slaved over four fantastic Roman mosaics. The masterpieces will be displayed in their new school building, due to open in January 2011.

After an animated assembly introducing the topic, I received over 50 entries from the creative key stage two, each depicting elements of Roman life. From shiny sword and shields to fruit bowls filled with ripening fruit, the pupils designed picture representing their understanding of Roman life. Many of their designs were then transferred onto four huge mosaic boards key stage two all helped transform into colourful caricatures from the past.

It took a whole week of smashing, crashing and creating, but by Friday the hard work had finally paid off as the children put the finishing touches to their magnificent mosaics. Never have I had the pleasure to work with such animated, enthusiastic pupils and I’m looking forward to putting the grout between the lines to unveil their amazing Art.Works.

And good news! I’m chuffed to bits to be back at Kentmere very soon indeed. I start my ‘artist in residency ‘in October and can’t wait to get imagining and inventing once again to create some sumptuous designs with the pupils to make their new school sparkle.

Interested in having your very own artist in residence? Or creating a mosaic with your group? Just drop me a line to find out more.

Falinge Comes Alive with Art

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 21:14:00 +0000

Ever used the phrase ‘come up against a brick wall’ and felt frustrated, fruitlessly lacking inspiration? Not the people of Falinge! They saw their brick wall as a creative opportunity, quite literally!
So I was pleased as punch when they invited Art.Works to come on board and make their creative ideas a reality.

Over the summer months Lower Falinge Housing Estate has been awash with poster paints, sticky palettes and plywood as six community groups from the estate got to work transforming a dull brick wall into an animated artistic space.

Over the course of eight weeks each group designed and painted three gigantic murals to represent their groups’ ethos. From scurrying rabbits on a veg patch to a football match on an urban kick-pitch each group created amazingly unique art works which positively gleam in the late summer sun.

So, what kind of funky designs did each group come up with? In no particular order:
L play: a comic strip illustrating a monster on the run from the mischievous kids, look out behind you!

Women’s Group: inspired by the paintings of Beryl Cook, a beautiful painting of their group enjoying a arts session on the estate, also featuring Percy the Cat!

Boy’s Group: an amazing mix media mural featuring football photos, speeding cars and towering skyscrapers

Girl’s Group: stimulated by Andy Warhol a photo-montage of their beautiful faces block printed and painted so brightly they make Warhol’s Marilyn Monroe look comparably dowdy!

Gardening Group: an animated illustration of their allotment including squirrels, foxes and even chickens! So meticulously painted it could have come straight out of a children’s picture book!

Young Wardens: all the kids of the world celebrate! The young warden’s design commemorates the vitality different cultures bring to Lower Falinge Estate.

Thursday 26th August 2010 saw the launch of the murals, now perfectly placed on Cartmel, Lower Falinge. The launch was attended by each group along with their friends and family. There were many ‘oohs’ even more ‘wows’ and lots of looks of amazement as the artists showed off their talented display of work.

The afternoon was brought to life with the Dancing Group’s performance along with face painting, henna painting, a bouncy castle and scrummy cakes. A fantastic finale to a fabulous project on Falinge.
If you’re passing through Rochdale so make sure you check out the group’s work: Cartmel, Lower Falinge, OL12 6RQ

Middleton’s Youth Make Mosaics

noreply@blogger.com (John Atherton) — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 19:31:00 +0000

If you go down to the woods today you’re sure for a big surprise... in fact, you’ll have four! Four huge ceramic tile surprises no less! Because the youth of Middleton have been working hard to spruce up their woodland and park to create four awesome mosaics to make their estate sparkle.

On 27^th, 29^th and 30^th July over 20 kids from local youth groups Burnside and Riverside came together on a mission; to make mosaics illustrating the fantastic features of Truffet Park, Langley, and they came up trumps!

To kick start the project the kids took part in a creative nature trail around the park’s four key areas, collecting arty artifacts which might stimulate some smashing designs. Back at the base kids worked well weaving their artifacts into their willow stick frames. From bark rubbings to branches, wild flowers to baby frogs! (The frogs were quickly taken back to their habitat I hasten to add!), no artistic evidence was turned away until it had be analysed by the young artistic eyes.

Inspired by the trail the kids then took part in the big draw, a mass picture making activity, the most vibrant observations captured down on paper. One young warden said:

‘We found lots of baby frogs in the pond, I enjoyed collecting big strands of bull rush to draw in my picture’.

After an energetic health and safety talk ‘goggles on intrepid illustrators, these here tiles are as sharp as shark’s teeth!’, Thursday saw kids identifying their pictures in the mosaic designs, could you spot a bee buried in the wild flower meadow? Then one, two three and smash! The hard work started with a bang, a crash, a wallop! As each team member got hands on with their tiles and elbows high in adhesive, working together to form sensational displays for their park. As eager young artist Aran suggested:
‘it’s like making a massive jigsaw, but this time we get to make the piece using the hammer, it’s great!’ glad you think so Aran, so do we!

By Friday morning the mosaics were well on their way thanks to the nibble fingered youngsters and, with one last surge of energy the pictures finally took shape. Youth Worker Paula Amos from Burnside Community Centre noted:

‘The kids are really engaged, you’ve done a great job reaching some challenging kids.. They’re all working as a team, it’s good to see’.

So, a few finishing touches, a smothering of grout and this time next week Truffet Park will be proudly displaying four awesome artistic mosaics created by their estate’s own young hands. As hard working Park Ranger (he also makes ‘well sick ham butties’ apparently!)Mike Cunningham said:

‘The mosaics will brighten up our park and the hard work of the kids has really paid off, we’re all looking forward to seeing them up and displayed’

I couldn’t agree more Mike, but hard work, nargh, it was just a walk in the park for those kids...

Wonderful Ways to Work Together.

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:34:00 +0000

Up and down the country, in and out of the streets the beginning of July buzzed with communities working together in the name of Co-operation. To kick start the very first Co-operative’s Fortnight the country celebrated the success of common partnership through open studios, band nights, quirky videos, and yes, you guessed it, mass participation Art.Works.

Eager to participate in this national first Art.Works created the most artistic of afternoons slap bang in the middle of the birth place of Co-operation, Rochdale town Centre. Together with the town’s folk of Rochdale we created a giant mural of the Rochdale Pioneer’s shop that would make co-operative hero Robert Owen proud!

On a blustery Monday afternoon Art.Works worked with fellow co-operators ‘Peace Effects Media’ to create a live art pastel picture and vibrant video. We spread the co-operative message, (working together we can do so much more) and soon had a helpful crowd of passersby, shoppers and a whole assembly of school children ready to pitch in and pastel their town centre all the colours of the proverbial rainbow.

Without the good will of Rochdale’s finest residents we would not have achieved such a colourful creation, as one participant put it: ‘it’s good doing it like this innit? Get more out of it when we all pitch in’. I couldn’t have put it better myself!

So huge thanks to the kids, the teachers, the grannies, the shoppers, the Falinge massive, the crew, them all. Big up Peace Effects Media’ who are editing their awesome footage as I type (look out for the special blog post and feature on their finished product) and respect to Lindzi and John at Co-operative’s UK and David from the Co-operative Group for their help and expertise.

A Little Round Up Of A Massive Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 12:11:00 +0000

Goodness! what a gloriously busy month June has been for Art.Works! We've been sprinkling our creative star dust high and low, from the the very first Fruity Fairtrade Session at Touchstones to harvesting arts for Handa's Surprise at Bowlee Primary School, and not forgetting all the felt making, flag flying and mosaic making across many Rochdale schools in between. It's been a non stop art shop for Art.Works, just the way we like it!

This week alone saw the start of our exciting new project ' The Great Wall of Cartmel', aimed at involving six community groups from Falinge Housing Estate in creating their huge mural masterpiece to brighten up their living space.

On Friday we kicked off with 40 members Falinge parents and kids group. we flung our shoes off and dived feet first, (ok, feet only!) into paint before splashing and racing over lengthy leafs of paper. Spurred on by their paint splattered introduction members then formed ferocious monsters in groups, ready to grin and growl from their giant mural. And why did the monster knit herself three socks? Because she'd grown another foot of course!

The women's group are now armed with their cameras ready to click, flick and snap their estate in all it's glory. they're looking forward to paining inspiration for their multi cultural inspired canvas. Watch out Falinge, ladies with lens about!

The girl's group then got to grips with Warhol, transforming the Striking Cheryl Cole into a colourful canvas of silky cerise skin to a perfect purple pout, nice! The girls have decided to put their own image onto their canvas and will brave the colourful palette once more to create a quirky Warhol inspired mural. I can't wait to see their transformation when we start the painting later in the summer.

Here's to hoping all other community groups on Falinge feel as inspired as our intrepid artists on Friday, they've set the ball rolling, the paint palette swirling for a lively transformation of Falinge's Cartmel Wall.

Sunshine and Showers for Felting with St Edward's

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 13:46:00 +0000

Some might suggest it was the perfect piece of art activity for   ferociously  hot Friday; water sprays, bowls of soap suds a cool vapour in the classroom air, soothing felt making. But don't be deceived! I neglected to mention the extreme exertion required when felt making. The vigourous rubbing of olive oil soap to bind fibres, the rapid rolling back and forth, back and forth, of felting mats, the pummeling of fires. Think of a room fueled with over zealous bakers, pumping, pounding, squeezing, squirting; that's the scene of a felt making classroom.

Oh it might have been hot outside, there might have been litres of cooling water galore  inside, but that didn't distract Year 6 pupils from St Edwards' putting all their energies into forming fantastic felted pieces of art.

On a hot and sticky Friday in May pupils worked with Art.Works to create amazing felt animals, birds and plants to be displayed on a banner in their school. Working in 3 groups of 16 the pupils immediately took a hands on approach to learning. To kick off the sessions the pupils'  imagination came alive with animated suggestions they wanted to praise God for. From the hump back whale to saffron winged butterflies, all creatures (great and small!) were considered during the sessions.

The creative kids then selected their brightly coloured fibres to bind , shape and form.  Then, shirt sleeves rolled high above the elbow, soap suds and squirt bottles at the ready, pupils put their back into forming and producing a jungle of creatures that could put Noah to shame!

Art.Works had a fantastic day with Year six at St Edward's Primary School, their enthusiastic approach to art kept us entertained and their comments ensured we left St Edward's with an enormous smile on our face...

'This is brilliant, Cat is very funny (and) crazy.... Trish is kind... I want you to come back to our school'
Year 6 pupil, St Edward's Primary School, Rochdale

What a platform for an exhibition!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Mon, 17 May 2010 19:55:00 +0000

There's something quite therapeutic about gazing out of a train window when you pull into a station. It's faintly cathartic to watch others board the train, or imaging the adventures of those disembarking. Your eyelids might get droopy, your breathing may match the rhythm of the train, that is of course unless you pull into Todmorden Railway Station! it takes a second glance, an involuntary gasp of breath, a rush towards the train's doors before the conductor blows his whistle. and what makes this small Yorkshire station prompt such a flurry of activity, why, an art exhibition of course!

From the 8th May to the end of the month Tricia (of Art.Works fame) will be exhibiting and selling her vibrant and 'quirky' paintings in the platform one gallery, Todmorden Railway Station. After a hugely successful launch, in which 3 paintings where snapped up by eager eyed buyers, there's been a constant stream of visitors pouring over the colourful canvases.

Trish said 'I'm so happy so many people were able to come to the launch and I'm really excited to see all my paintings displayed together in one space.'

So, if you find yourself pulling in to Todmorden station why not hop off for the train for a while and indulge in a little creative delight guaranteed to put a smile on on the face of even the most miserable of Monday morning commuters!

Info: Platform one gallery is open Thursday- Sunday 11am-4pm. all proceeds from sales will go to buy clean water facilities for friends in Uganda. Thanks to Phill Atherton for the photos!

Little Fingers Make Murals for the Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Wed, 05 May 2010 15:36:00 +0000

So, who said painting can only be done with a brush? This week the early years and reception children at All Saints Primary School, Rochdale have been proving everyone wrong. The creative kids have experimented with using all their body; from their tiny little toes to their clay covered finger tips to make some seriously messy murals! Experimenting with tone, colour and texture the children enjoyed splattering paint across the boards building layers with the paints and their bodies to tell an artistic tale.

Pupils took part in an interactive story session, trying to find the perfect home for little bird and his friends. Then, beady eyes at the ready, armed with magnifying glasses, they scoured the school grounds in search of that ideal nesting place. No stone was left unturned, no plant plot left unexplored, as the pupils decided where little bird may live. Eventually an oak tree proved the perfect home, near enough to the silver streaked slug to be neighboroughs, but far enough away from the road to avoid the buzz-buzz of traffic.

But little fingers itch to keep creating, so after a thorough soil analysis the children used their experiences to paint four gigantic murals illustrating the bird's flight from the long, lush grass to the cool shade of the oak tree.

Over two fun filled days pupils have walked through paints to create a path for the birds, they've made tracks by driving toy cars through paint and smearing it across the boards. The talented toddlers have rolled tufts of lush green grass high onto the meadows for the mural and printed leaves to canopy the trees.

And now, (after a little meddling on my part)All saints early years and reception children have formed a fantastic piece of art to brighten up their outdoor classroom, and of course, give little bird a place called home!

If you'd like more information, check out our photo album on the Art.Works facebook site: www.facebook.com/pages/artworks or drop me a line: 078 1616 8982 to receive or 'outdoor classroom' resource pack.

It's all change on the blog front!

noreply@blogger.com (Cat Jessop) — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 10:03:00 +0000

So.... you've might have noticed a few changes a foot, no, I'm not talking about the faint smell of summer in the air, or the increasing anticipation as the general election approaches, I'm talking about the Art.Works blog of course!

After receiving requests from follwers for a more accessible format for the blog I've descided to have a reshape. I hope you find the new look blog easier to follow, read and interact with. You'll notice some snazzy extras too:

a resources shop: (it's in a tab at the top) this is going to feature resources for you to download for free or buy to help inspire creativity in the class room and beyond. There will be lesson suggestions for key dates like Fairtrade fortnight, anti bullying week etc. It will also feature the resources we sell, interactive and informative resource packs for curricular texts and environmental projects as well as the all important 'Art in a Box'; resources for you to buy and create in the classroom, or indeed wherever you fancy! If there's anything you'd like to see featured in the resource shop, shout out! let me know and I'll see how I can help.
an arty shop: (again look at the tabs at the top). This will have original pictures and prints designed and created by yours truly, available to buy. Do you have a special occasion you'd like to commemorate? drop me a line and I'll design a piece of work especially for you! The arty shop will also feature the 'Art in a Box' resources for you to buy, purely for the fun of it. If you've ever fancied making a funky felt necklace, or your own ceramic mosaic you can now do so from the comfort of your own sofa! Just choose the box you want, I'll send you the box including resources and instructions, then it's up to you, your imagination, and a little elbow grease!
a facebook page! for up to date info of what we're up to join our facebook group: www.facebook.com/pages/artworks

And, of course, if you want to know even more about what we're up to you can subscribe via email, just pop your details into the box to the right labeled 'subscribe via email' (funnily enough!) and we'll let you know of up and coming workshops we're running with kids and adults.

So...thanks for following the blog so far and I hope you'll find the new look blog the bees knees! *Unfortunately the new blog still features my over zealous vocabulary, like an ever flicking thesaurus, it's just something I'll have to keep working on...