Thursday 6 October 2016

WINDING DOWN, EVALUATING AND PLANNING OUR NEXT ADVENTURE


We are slowly winding down after a great project...we've been collecting quotes and comments throughout and here are  more that have come our way through email, formal evaluation  and comments books....all this is helpful when it comes to reporting to our funders and supporters and helps us make our case when we begin planning the next project ...thank you to everyone who has visited us along the way and had anything to say about Green Room.

Here is a short video from the St Mary's Exhibition. The schools sent representatives to see the show and they gave us their thoughts and memories about the project..our thanks to Bob Qazi for his interviews and and to the participants for their comments. This piece will feature on the Hospice's own website as an example of their links with the community and its young people.

https://vimeo.com/192443761

The next comments come from our schools. I won't be the only working artist who recognises these accounts, or who had a similar encounter with the arts and artists through such sympathetic, creative and committed teachers during their own childhood. 

Clearly, this stuff matters. If the arts become a peripheral activity in schools, children suffer. 
Restrict  their imaginations and you restrict their options. 



 "One of the little girls in my class lacks in confidence and can find it difficult to build relationships with classmates. She finds English and Maths related activities challenging and as a result can often give up and feel disengaged. From session 1, the girl in question was enthused about the idea of an arts project. She was happy to work alongside class members and as the sessions went on she began to develop stronger working relationships with the children she was working alongside. With art and design being an area she was passionate about, it was a great opportunity to build her communication skills and enthusiasm for other subjects. It was lovely to see her suggesting ideas and helping her peers whilst contributing confidently to the whole project." (Participating School Staff)



 "Working with professional artists was beneficial both for using their knowledge and skills, but also as an inspiration for children who would like to be artists as a career."(Participating School Staff)


"Collaborative working on a single project was excellent for promoting SMSC skills (Spiritual, Moral, Social, and Cultural)...


(other benefits;)..working with artists and craftspeople directly.....

Time – luxury of copious time to work on a single project and immerse artistic skills. 

Self-esteem – proud of working on such a successful project and the amazing results.

Confidence – increased confidence to participate in different activities should lead to reduced anxiety in the future." ( Participating school Staff)



 " Well defined and thoughtfully planned..helpfull support and collaboration as well as excellent resources available. I was proud to be part of this project" (Commissioned Artist)

"A wonderful experience and a pleasure to work with you" (Venue Management)


" The quality from all concerned is inspirational..a body of work which has depth and breadth..a rich and valuable project which  has clearly been exceptionally well delivered."(Exhibition visitor)

Thank you, one and all. 

Friday 30 September 2016

IN THE "ARCHITECTURE" SECTION...THE CHARTER DAY MODEL AT ULVERSTON LIBRARY...


A nice spin-off from the school sessions on a sunny saturday in Ulverston. We were asked by the Town Council and the Markets to run an arts session for the town's Charter celebrations, and this piece of work is the result...a model of Market Street made by young people , their families and me and Alex.
You can see the finished piece in Ulverston Library  till the end of October.

 We are in the Architecture section. 

Our thanks to Ulverston Town Council and to Ulverston Library for having us.




Monday 26 September 2016

SUNDAY IN THE MONUMENT WITH PETE AND LES

The Sir John Barrow Monument is a popular spot for locals and visitors, and Sunday was a particularly good day as a steady flow of the windswept and curious made their way up the spiral stairs to read the history of the building, and hear Pete's installation.




Monument Keeper Les Tallon has been a great help in getting this together, and was happy with the response we had to Pete's piece, and with it's ability to fit in with it's surroundings. We were able to show images from the rest of the Green Room Project on Les's video screen, and generally have a nice and productive day of meeting people and discussing future plans for occasional events at the Monument.  





Les and I agree that the building is suited to this kind of event, and that it points the way for further projects at significant sites that will attract visitors to and from the Town, including the Sir John Barrow Cottage on Dragley Beck.  Hopefully we can pursue these ideas, and in the meantime Pete's piece will be open to all ears on sunday October 2nd and 9th, weather permitting. If the flag is flying on Hoad, Les will be open to visitors.

An update from the second day of Pete's installation period...over 130 people visited the Monument today, and here's Les's fellow Monument Keeper Steve Povey, Drone music aficionado and a good friend of ourselves and The Octopus Collective..






Saturday 24 September 2016

PETE DENT AT THE SIR JOHN BARROW MONUMENT

Pete's Ulverston 4 channel Ulverston sound collage has been installed on the second floor in the Monument on Hoad, and you can call in to hear it on Sunday from 1-5, as long as the weather is ok...if the flag is flying, the Monument is open. ..come and have cup of tea and a listen and look out for further announcements about further installation dates. Our thanks to Monument Keeper Les Tallon.


Saturday 17 September 2016

MORE AT ST MARYS HOSPICE..

Lex's work, along with Fran's Journals and Box Piece is now in the Day Room at St Mary's. And you can see Fran's work in the Orangerie alongside the work from Croftlands, SJB and Church Walk, ...we are also selling our postcards at the counter with the proceeds going to the Hospice.

St Mary's is one of Ulverston's great assets. Go and have a look..if you're out for a walk its a great place to get a brew, the surrounds and views are great and there's a giftshop and the staff are lovely...



Thursday 15 September 2016

INSTALLING THE SCHOOLS WORK AT ST MARY'S HOSPICE


Just back from St Mary's, where Geoff and Bob have been helping hang our school's work in the Cafe. We'll be back again tomorrow to put up Lex and Fran's work too. Have a look. Nice day for a walk. 




Saturday 3 September 2016

LAST DAY AT THE CORO..OFF TO ST MARY'S and THE SJB MONUMENT

Today is our last day at the Coro.  Thank you to all our visitors and to the staff and management here, we've thoroughly enjoyed our time at the Coro, and its been a very valuable few weeks.
So, if you're in town  ..come and see us.  


Not that this is the end of Green Room. As you may know, Pete's sound piece will be installed in the Monument on Hoad on Sept 25. The Monument  opens to visitors weather permitting...if the flag is flying, it's open.

 From September 14 Fran's work and the pieces from the schools will be on show in the cafe at St Mary's Hospice in Ulverston, and Lexi's work will be in the Hospice Day Room.  











I went for a recce with Bob Qazi and Geoff Steele, Corporate Fundraisers at the Hospice, and we agree that the work will look great in these sites and provide a spur for further projects. We'll be having further talks regarding workshop  and art therapy sessions, which would be a great legacy for Green Room.  

If you don't know the Hospice, it's in a beautiful setting under Hoad and the Cafe is well worth a visit. 

More info here..

http://www.stmaryshospice.org.uk/   


This photo (above) is from Neil Fleming Ulverston Ltd. Neil runs the town's excellent 
Visit Ulverston site and has given Artspace a real boost by including our events in their calendar.  
Here's the site..

http://visitulverston.com/

And a last couple of blasts on the trumpet from the Coro Exhibition visitors book...

" Really lovely to have an opportunity to see local creative works of art. More please!"

"The first of many explosions of creativity in our Coro. Wild wooly and wonderful. Stunning stuff. Thank you."

Thank you one and all.





Friday 2 September 2016

THROUGH A GLASS, ARTILY. GREENROOM MEETS THE BEER FESTIVAL


Today and saturday afternoon we share the Coro with Ulverston Beer Festival, so come in for some good beers and an audio-visual palate cleanser.
While you're at it, buy the project manager a glass of something. 


Sunday 21 August 2016

THANKS AMY, THANKS CHARLIE, THANKS F.O.C.H.

Not the last day of our project or of our time at the Coro, but the last day of Coro All , the event that has launched the building's new relationship with the town and our local authority and hosted our work



 
While the dance workshop set up in the main hall we sat back in our gallery and listened to voices from Arts Council, SLDC and Ulverston Community Enterprises  telling us the story of the transfer of ownership and their hopes for the future.

 For me the event ended as it began , with a room full of  interested people with a common purpose and who  value each other's efforts. So, thank you to:


The schools  and their pupils, and to our artists Alex, Lex, Pete and Fran  for their enthusiasm, skill and commitment;

Charlie Rowley and the Staff at the Coro for advocacy, space, tech support ,coffee and a great working atmosphere;






and to Amy Parker, architect of Coro All, without whom etc. My thanks and congratulations on behalf of all our team on a  varied, inclusive, bonkers  and wonderfully organised few days.

And we're not finished yet.






FRAN'S HEAD AND MIA'S MODEL HOUSE















Alex guides visitors around Fran's "Symbolical Head" piece
....here's a closer look....



And here is Mia from Church Walk, pointing out  her model of Church Walk House and enjoying Fran's Journals...

The latest from the comments book...

"Excellent imaginative project which has clearly enabled the children to explore 3D/Texture/birds eye views and colour in addition to understanding their surroundings..also the felt work is exquisite."




Saturday 20 August 2016

PHOTOS BY IAIN RAVEN and EXHIB UPDATE


Huge turn out today for Coro All...drum workshops, halloween video sessions, children's craft sessions..and us. We've been full up all morning. Lex and Alex have been meeting and greeting our visitors and again its been great. New contacts with Scrap Stores in Blackpool, and Wax Lyrical http://www.wax-lyrical.com/
...more visitors from our schools groups, and lots of people who stick their head round the door and then stay for a while..


The Evening Mail have been over so there'll be something in the paper next week..Some more comments... (I know I'm blowing our own trumpet  a bit, but its a good trumpet, and I'm going to.)

"A fantastic and inspirational project which I will be hoping to take to Blackpool and use at  the Tip and our schools"

" I like the train track by SJB. Lovely"

 "Awe inspiring work. More please."

And we've been given some great photos by Iain Raven, so they'll be appearing in the bye and bye.  The first is at the top of this page, and here is another.

Thanks Iain.


Friday 19 August 2016

MORE FROM THE GREEN ROOM EXHIBITION















You can see our house from here...

These visitors to the show were able to read the Croftlands piece like a real map, and find their house...while this lad is getting deeply into Pete's Sound piece..



Another fine day at the Coro despite the weather. We've had a steady footfall of visitors, including more boys and girls from our schools, and some welcome faces from the Friends Of The Coro, whose support set the project rolling.

Earlier it was great to watch two young visitors engrossed in Fran's sketchbooks, exploring the secret pockets and pull-outs and enjoying the variety of images and techniques in them.

Lex will be in tomorrow, and shes planning to bring a bit of her current work in progress. We'll be open from 10am. Ish. 

Thursday 18 August 2016

FROM THE COMMENTS BOOK

Two days into the run and another busy day, Fran's sketchbooks are attracting plenty of attention, and we just had a late wave of visitors after the Roller Disco..  here are a few comments....

"..thought it was wonderful as a mix of generational talent...(prospective and professional) Great Ideas."

"Absorbing sketchbooks."


" The quality from all concerned is inspirational..a body of work which has depth and breadth..a rich and valuable project which  has clearly been exceptionally well delivered."

"Plenty to enjoy and much food for thought"

 "Wonderful exhibition showing aspects of Ulverston in such innovative ways. Well done to all."

It's been nice to see some of our boys and girls enjoying the show,  and again we've made some interesting contacts with artists and people in education from our area and beyond. 

Cracking day. 






PICTURES AND COMMENTS FROM DAY 1 OF OUR EXHIBITION

Our open sessions at the Coro were among the most enjoyable and important parts of the project, and it was good to see some our visitors again on the first day of the show. 

Here's a couple of pics from early in the day and later, when the U3A members and Natterjacks Reading Group called in and met Fran, who showed them around the work and had a useful talk about their groups and the way they work.

We had another good chat with a local Scout leader, who told us about a very interesting and creative use of their space at Dragley Beck involving mapping and the use of Found Objects to evoke the past present and future of the town


The morning session today has been shared with the Ulverston WI Country Market.  Behind a stall we met up with Jess Muckelt, organiser and Animal Artist, who also knows our Lex. 
You can find more about Jess here..

 http://animal-sketches.co.uk/Gallery.html .

The comments book is looking good too..personal favourite so far..

"The room  just makes me feel like smiling."

Wednesday 17 August 2016

FIRST DAY OF THE GREEN ROOM EXHIBITION AT THE CORO

The show is up and running...here are a couple of pictures from last night when I finished the hanging...we've had 25 visitors in our first hour and some great comments and conversations and the postcards of the children's work are proving popular... I'll put some more photos up later, but for now it's just nice to sit back and watch people enjoying the work and talking to the artists, and mingling with everything else that's happening at the Coro this week during the Coro All event..

https://www.facebook.com/coroallulverston/




Thursday 30 June 2016

DAY TEN AT THE CORO...FINISHED WORK FROM CROFTLANDS

Here is the finished piece from Croftlands in all its colour and detail...cars roam the narrow lanes, children play in the school grounds, ordered streets and manicured gardens are revealed and the landscape teems with mystery and vigour.. a wonderful piece of work.


In addition, we have a sound piece, describing a sudden thunderstorm and it's effects on the local wildlife and pets   https://soundcloud.com/artspacegreenroom/croftlands-storm-1

and a series of drawings which will support the final piece...here , down the page , are just a  few to be going on with..
This was the last of our school sessions at the Coro..we started, continued and finished on a high note. We were able to canvas the group for opinions on the project and the process behind it , and their well-expressed and candid comments will help us to shape future events and inform the Coro's management on the way the venue can be used in the future.
Here are a few more details , taken by Fran on one her visits to the sessions..




Thank you to all the children and adults who have taken part and for your beautiful work..and for the atmosphere you've helped to create in the building... we'll see you all for the exhibitions..watch this space for dates








Monday 27 June 2016

DAY NINE AT THE CORO ; CROFTLANDS KICK-OFF

Days like this remind us why we are in this business. We spent a full day with the Croftlands Artsquad, their teachers and our three commissioned artists, and watched an exceptional piece of work take shape.
We handed the reins of the project to the group, which includes boys and girls from across the schools year groups, and saw them work with great skill, imagination enthusiasm and care.  They brought their own materials and photographs to add to the mix, and, in groups of three and four, transformed the white spaces on the  board into highly evocative  representations of  Croftlands and the surrounding area .  
Let's look at some pictures..


We saw some superb model-making, including these sections of woodland..  some beautiful use of colour and surface, some delicate layering and placing of carefully selected shaped and prepared materials.



In the discussions with our artists the boys and girls  were able to discuss  ideas and the practicalities (expense, for example) of working in particular ways and in one case to share  and compare sketchbooks.  



The overall impression is one of a highly imaginative bunch of people, capable of blending a serious approach  to a job with  enthusiasm for a challenge and a willingness to experiment. Here's the piece at the end of the second session...wednesday is going to be very interesting indeed.