MORAG Outreach

Working with Suffolk Artlink’s Artists and Volunteers, Sue Ryder Staff and a Suffolk Library Top Time group, we have been testing and developing MORAG (Machine of Random Art Generation) Outreach Sessions. The sessions led by artists Dean Parkin and Xenia Horne encouraged creativity and play in writing, music, movement and visual arts, demonstrating how our MORAG site can be used to inspire activities.

 

JumpstART!

At the JumpstART! Studio Project in Bury St Edmunds, 14 students have been attending workshops led by artists Jaqui Davies, Stephanie Hartick and Jules Carpenter.  Over the last few weeks we’ve explored life drawing, still life, drawing outside and from imagination.  Students have been given the opportunity to use pencil, charcoal, acrylics, gouache and watercolour.

We visited Smiths Row Gallery to see the current exhibition, Machines to Crystallize Time which is a new body of work by CJ Mahony and Georgie Grace .

A trip is taking place to Ipswich Museum and The Art School Gallery to take part in a workshop run by Jules Carpenter.

Students on the Lowestoft Studio Project visited Barrington Farm in March to work alongside other artists who live and work there.  It is always a good experience to visit another project which promotes people with learning disabilities as artists and it was a good opportunity to share ideas and project work.  They have offered to show our students artwork on their online gallery run by RoaR.

Artists ran a paper making workshop for us which was great fun- especially seeing how much interesting material could be incorporated into the paper mulch including wool, flowers and glitter.  We were joined by Kate Warner as volunteer for the day and would like to thank her for all her help and enthusiasm.

Coming up we have a visit to The Time and Tide Museum to do some sketching and a visit to the Merchants House Art Gallery in Lowestoft to see the John Kiki exhibition.

Below is a a picture of textiles produced by one of the artists at Barrington Farm.

 

Rock Up

Rock Up sessions paused for the Easter holidays – so it was a good time to take stock of what’s been achieved since we started back at Colville House Youth Club after Christmas.

Over the last 11 weeks, 40 young people have taken part in the sessions, with seven of them benefiting from the weekly one-to-one tuition provided by our regular tutors, Matt and Bryan; a further three have had one-to-one tutoring from our wonderful DJ, Sophie Tott and each week we have a dozen or so more young people who come to watch and listen – and who one day, we confidently predict, will take part.

Sophie will compile a disc of the DJ mixes created over the last few weeks, which will be posted to our site in the next few weeks, and will be returning next term for further DJ sessions.

A group of the young people were asked by their support worker to describe the difference the project has made for them. Here’s what they wrote: –

“Since starting the project we’ve grown in confidence and self esteem, it’s really helped with coping with anxiety and helps us to relax and not worry for an evening, it also helps those feelings during the week. The encouragement and praise of the staff helps to build confidence. The music gives us an opportunity to express ourselves and to meet other people. We’re excited about the progress we’re making.”

Roll on next term.

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Clown Round

The beautiful sound of Clown Doctors singing together could be heard at the Clown Round training a couple of weeks ago. As part of their Continued Professional Development the Clown Doctors took part in a singing workshop with singer Lauren Dove, shadow puppet making, origami, magic tricks and ukulele playing. The training day marked the end of a very busy Spring term on the children’s wards in the regions hospitals.

In March last year Doctor Misschief, Doctor Haystack and Doctor Fidget opened up their training day to artists interested in the work of a Clown Doctor. One year on Suffolk Artlink are thrilled to announce the graduation of five new Clown Doctors. After a year’s worth of training and shadowing we are pleased to introduce:

Top Left: Dr Aubergine, Top Middle: Dr Dizzy Daydream, Top Right: Dr Quiver Quaver
Bottom Left: Dr Elsie Mc Sprightly, Bottom Right: Dr Disco Frankly Hilarious

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Culture Club

The Art Group for Carers and Cared for in Bury St Edmunds have moved into a new venue this month. They are now meeting on Monday afternoons at Oakes Barn. For more information about this group contact [email protected]

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Creative Employment Progamme

If you are wondering what it is like for the people on the creative employment programme you can read about the experiences of three people who have been part of it. Here is their interview.

There are a couple of paid internship opportunities that are closing to applications this week so if you or someone you know is 18 – 24 and registered unemployed there is only a short time to apply to be an Administrative Intern at Gecko or Trainee Marketing or a General Administration Assistant at FlipSide Festival.

For more information go to http://www.suffolkartlink.org.uk/cep

Suffolk at Play

Anyone wishing to see the Suffolk at Play Cube at Felixstowe library needs to get their skates on, as the Cube will be moved to the Academy on 20th April.

The Cube will stay at the Academy until the summer holidays begin in late July, at which point it will transfer to the Museum at Landguard Point, so if you don’t make it to the library in time you’ll have another chance to catch up with the Cube over the summer holidays.

In the meantime, we are now confirmed to run the project at East Point Academy in Lowestoft, starting next week, where we will be working with Year 8 students.

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Waxwings

Although not connected to Suffolk Artlink here is something happening down the road from us at Sizewell.

Waxwings is the latest in ETO’s acclaimed series of operas for young people with special needs. The opera is highly interactive, with lots of multi-sensory elements, and is designed to stimulate and engage with children with many different and complex needs.

The Waxwings event is taking place at Warden’s Charitable Trust in Sizewell on Saturday 18th April at 12.00 noon.

The entrance fee is £4 and tickets can be bought on the door.
For more information contact [email protected]

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