Having an inspiring and wonderful time working with the Ikon Gallery and several of Birmingham’s Nursery Schools. Parents, children and staff from Lillian de Lissa, Cheeky Monkeys, David Gretton Nursery Schools and Poppits Playgroup have been working in clay inspired by the paintings of Hurvin Anderson, an international artist originating from Birmingham. Hurvins giant canvases are on show at the Ikon Gallery untill 10th November 2013.
Tag Archive for birmingham
Tree of life
Enjoyed my day working with students and staff at Birmingham University Medical School making individual clay creations in the shape of leaves and foliage. Once the masterpieces have been fired and glazed they will form a tree of life tile panel installed in the School’s Multi-faith prayer room.
Facebook photos here.
Diva’s
Got to work with the lovely people at Washwood Heath Nursery School in Birmingham again recently. After the children and parents went home, the staff decided to make Diwali diva lights out of clay in preparation for the Festival of Lights beginning Nov 3rd. At the height of production we had x2 potter’s wheels on the go and a table full of teaching staff busily creating thumb pots. The results were mixed and lacked consistency and by the close of the twilight session, the general consensus was ‘let’s buy some instead’! As a mini installation, all placed together on a tray, I reckon the pots looked pretty cool.
Settling in nicely
This time of year can be an anxious one for parents of young children starting school or nursery for the very first time. The excellent Washwood Heath Nursery School in Birmingham have a brilliant solution to help quell the nerves and sooth separation.
Whilst the children are getting to know the staff and their peers in the classroom, mum & dad are encouraged to remain at the school in an adjoining hall, near enough to be called on if their child is not settling. Whilst they wait, the parents get to participate in a host of creative activities designed to divert attention from the situation and aid well being.
For the past three years I’ve been providing pottery sessions as part of this process, working with some very talented individuals for the first four weeks of term. I’m always impressed and inspired by the quality of the clay outcomes and the parents often comment on the success of the policy. In fact, long after their children have settled in, some grown-ups can still be found in the hall, weeks later, absorbed in coil-pot making and slip decoration!
Creepy Clay at Walmley Library
The Summer Reading Challenge organised by The Reading Agency is a brilliant way to get young readers to delve into the wonderful world of children’s literature.The scheme takes place every year during the summer holidays and young people sign up at their local library, then read six library books of their choice, collecting stickers and other rewards along the way – all for FREE.
The Challenge is always themed and this year ‘Creepy House’ provides the inspiration.
So it was I found myself at Walmley Library in Sutton Coldfield working with 40 youngsters and their parents making Creepy Clay sculpture. I think I managed to take a photo of everyone’s work?
