Working in and with the community has always been a key objective of Art in the Park. Our activities are intended to allow people to meet one another, work towards a common goal, inspire individuals and to strengthen their communities. Over the years, we have worked with groups from all ages and backgrounds in multiple locations across Sheffield. We, and our artists and volunteers, love to see communities blossom thanks to creativity.
On 8th March, we created Space invader Mosaics with everyone loving working with the mosaic materials. The participants were very pleased with their work and eager for more sessions, with one participant saying “Can you come everyday!?”
Art in the Park was as busy as ever on 15th March, designing t-shirt motifs using lamination. The event was very successful with the children very keen to learn more about the T-shirt design process.
In sessions running between January and March, a group of 20 children learned about arts and crafts from around the world. This focus on other cultures was focused around the 2012 Olympic teams training in Sheffield this year. The group were able to watch the Olympic divers train at Ponds Forge which inspired the creation of a fabric collage. The sessions involved crafts such as Slovakian lace finger knitting, weaving Sheffield inspired willow baskets and creating a Brazilian inspired feathered headdress. The children particularly enjoyed making the headdresses because they couldn’t wait to try them on!
Art In The Park worked with young people from the Sheena Amos Youth Trust and spent the day making lanterns as part of the Yambo Project. The lanterns were made by the young people with the help of one of our artists and a project leader from the Trust who were both really impressed with the high standard of the lanterns produced!
The participants worked so well that they completed the lanterns and even had time to decorate them. The lanterns were displayed as part of a festival at World Aids Day.
Rachel from Sheena Amos said “the young people involved really enjoyed making the lanterns” and everyone involved took a great deal from the experience!
Today we had a poetry hunt, made a giant DNA sculpture and went on an arts walk. It was a lovely day, and we were pleased that many people from the area got involved.
The children were very interested in the poetry hunt, and were able to explore their local outdoor area in a different way. Once the DNA sculpture was completed, everyone admired their fantastic work!
Lois Conlan (the artist supervising the event) said, “It was a fun day, and Art in the Park were supportive throughout”.
Under the cover of darkness Art in the Park worked with students at the University of Sheffield to spruce up the much neglected Crooksmoor Road Park. The area had been forgotten by much of Sheffield but having painted Roofscapes earlier at the Student’s Union, the team snuck into the park as night fell to breathe new life into the area by hanging their paintings and painted pine cones in the park by candle light. One participant said “Exhibiting our work in this space has given it so much more appeal; it’s great to know we’ve all worked as a team to give new life to our green spaces”, the work still hangs in Crooksmoor park for anyone to see.
At Art in the Park we DO play with our food. We travelled to Northern College and got creative making images with natural materials. “What a great idea” said a parent, just one of the eighty participants. We took art away from the canvas and into a bed of soil where we arranged a variety of natural materials to form our own images which were then printed as cards. Everyone was “genuinely chuffed” with the end result having created some truly original and exciting pieces of art.
Art in the Park braved the rainy skies at Ecclesfield Gala to create some wonderful weavings and pretty pom-poms. We were joined by lots of boys and girls who threaded ribbons, material and string through trees to give them a lovely little make over, this fabulous creation was then given to Ecclesfield School. Our volunteers Charlie Hill and Ruthie Ford said even in the drops of rain “it was an enjoyable day for both participants and artists”.
Art in the Park transformed Tudor square into a wonderfully weird and wacky wild west for the day on Saturday 23rd July. There were cowboys running riot, wanted posters flying in the air and lots of cutting and sticking to make lots of snazzy looking horses. One girl commented “this is the best thing in Sheffield” before taking part in our pantomime horse decorating and going round the track on her custom made horse.
Art in the Park ran a stall making pantomime horses with children at the Ruskin Park Fun Day. Watch a video of the horses we made in action!
These celebrations involved showcasing the art work and publications created by the local residents in the recent Penistone classes. The event was run by the artist and included entertainers, free refreshments, hog roast, a round walk and a poetry walk around the new trails.
These celebrations involved showcasing the art work and publications created by the local residents in the recent Stannington classes that have been running since September 2010. The event was run by the artist and included entertainers, free refreshments, hog roast and a poetry walk around the new trails.
These celebrations involved showcasing the artwork and publications created by the local residents in the recent Denby Dale classes that have been running since September 2010. The event was run by the artist and included entertainers, free refreshments, hog roast and a poetry walk around the new trails, there was a round walk and will be displayed in Stannington, Denby Dale and Penistone.
Art in the Park is the centrefold feature in this month's Sheffield Sixer magazine, delivered free to all homes in S6. Download and read here, or look out for a copy through your door!
Throughout October and November Art in the Park worked with local community groups and schools to create permanent banners, street furniture, welcome markers and notice boards for the Broomhall area. These were designed and created in collaboration with local residents and our professional artists. We targeted a range of groups that operate within the area including youth clubs, faith groups and tenants and residents associations.
A Celebration event in March exhibited all the community designs to mark the completion of the project, and included an arts walk to encourage the community to come and see the commissioned pieces.Our aim was to raise the profile of the area by challenging people’s preconceptions. The permanent pieces will bring colour and creativity to an often neglected area of Sheffield and we hope to encourage a renewed sense of pride in Broomhall.
The community groups involved in the Broomhall Visual Improvement Project included: Broomhall Forum Senior Youth Club, Broomhall Forum Junior Youth Club, St Andrew's Tuesday Social Group, Hallamshire Care Home, Broomhall Centre Senior Homework Club, Broomhall Centre Junior Homework Club, Somali Community and Cultural School, ISRAAC Student Focus Group, Broomhall Centre Holiday Play Scheme, Upper Springs TARA Coffee Morning.
Keep an eye out for the spectacular pieces of public art as you wander through Broomhall!
The Zest Centre in Upperthorpe staged a day of Festive Fun on 18th December, and Art in the Park were there to provide seasonal arts activities for young and old. Led by artist Jess MacNair, kids and parents used print-making techniques to make wrapping paper, gift tags and Christmas cards.
The participants enjoyed learning to design and make their own print templates, then used paint and coloured paper to get creative (and messy!) with their designs. At the end of the day they took home the wrapping paper and cards they had designed to add some extra flair to their Christmas.
“I really enjoyed helping out at the event, and thought the session went really well - the kids all seemed to love the activity. I look forward to helping out again soon.” - AITP Volunteer
From July we have been running a number of Poetry workshops in Schools in Stannington, Penistone and Denby Dale. These workshops have been designed to get local school children thinking about their local areas and to help them express their thoughts about the rural landscape through the medium of spoken word.
In September we held three outdoor community poetry events. These poetry events brought together communities in celebration of the natural beauty of the East Peak District.
We have also been providing a series of Free Adult Art Classes in each of the three villages in late September, which will run until August next year. Click here to find out about classes in your area.
From a poetry class participant- “We have all enjoyed Noel's workshops so much and are extremely grateful to Art in the Park for giving us this excellent opportunity. Many thanks to everyone involved!”
Art in the Park have just completed a successful six week course in Fabric Printing in the attractive surroundings of Wood Lane Countryside Centre. Textile artist Jo Loggin led participants in learning a range of techniques for making printed designs on fabric, including mono printing, block printing and tie dying. The group really enjoyed the sessions, which offered a great chance to pick up some easy and impressive art techniques, as well as to make a mess in a fun social setting.
Our artist Annie Beech ran a very successful six week introduction to paper making at Denby Dale Methodist Church.
Her group created some really excellent work:
A two-day course of Textiles installation by our artist Ruthie Ford. Participants created pop-up, 3D installations using textiles and paper based on a theme of their own choosing.
Many participants chose a seasonal Autumn/Winter theme:
(Working with 13-17years old volunteers) A series of workshops creating CD covers and ID cards based on how the young people saw themselves. Creation of mini-me sculptures out of found objects, clay and wire faces and “Who am I poems!”
Norfolk Park Welcome Centre invited Art in the Park to contribute to their celebration of International Women’s Day where 80 women and children did glass painting with artist Anneke on the theme of what makes women inspirational. The panels were collected to make a permanent mobile for the Centre, a great example of Art in the Park’s valuable and long-lasting work in the community.
Funded by the Learning Revolution
This project was a first for us, adult art classes. We ran two blocks of 9 week programmes and various community groups and centres. We worked with a group of Pakistani men, a mental health lunch group, a learning and physical disability group, a group of women who have experienced domestic abuse, an open access group in Hillsborough and young mothers at a children’s centre. As part of the project we took the groups to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park to explore their creativity and have the opportunity to meet the other people taking part in the project, this was a great success with over 40 people each trip, of which most had never been there!
“Several of the people who come to the sessions have told me that they've done some art/drawing/painting at home as a result of the sessions giving them more confidence - and some of them have genuine artistic talent which has lain undiscovered until now.I feel we've really started something special, and I feel very proud seeing the work produced by the group, and the progress they've made, particularly in terms of confidence. The sessions have also become quite a nice social gathering for those involved, who have all got to know eachother. People also travel quite far to get the sessions, which shows they are obviously making an effort to go to.” Art in the Park volunteer
For more information or to see our step by step art bytes, click click here!
(Open Access aimed at 8-13year olds) We ran a workshop at the library creating prints that produced a large banner for the library entrance, focusing on the patterns that make up our skin, eyes and hair.
(Open Access aimed at 8-13year olds)
Since July 2009 we have been running weekly art and drama workshops for a group of children in the Winn Gardens Estate. Has included kite making, t-shirt making, textiles using recycled materials, dance and the creation of a short play. Although a hard and slow start we now have a dedicated team of budding artists who are attending every week without fail! Some have even mentioned they want to be a volunteer for us when they are old enough!
“I liked… 'everything' 'dance' 'making my own bit of the dance up' 'acting part of the musical' 'party dance” Participant
Making Christmas cards and tree guardians “The session went really well - we ran out of materials at the end and constantly had a queue at our table. The ink stamps were especially well received.” AITP volunteer
Children of all ages and backgrounds had the opportunity to make their own Christmas cards and festive tree decorations using all sorts of materials. It was most enjoyed by the youngest children, who were excited at being able to take their creations home with them.
Card making and wire tree sculpting for children and families “A great craft table for all age ranges. Card making for my 5yr old and wire xmas tree making for my 10yr old - both occupied and enjoying themselves in one place! Thanks.” Participants' mum
