Monday, 29 August 2011

Second session 17.08.11




Your Memories
''I remember the street parties we had. For the Silver Jubilee of the Queen's Coronation I remember many planning sessions in the skittle alley of the Malt Shovel.
On the day Halesleigh Road was decorated throughout with flags and bunting and many windows sported red, white and blue. I remember I wore out a sewing machine helping to make the bunting...
The tables were laid out in Halesleigh Road but the party was for Provident Place, Coronation Road and Victoria Road as well. ...
It was a very happy time and a wonderful community spirit.''
Margaret Bulgin



Our Canvas
We continued adding key built up areas, and also the boys worked on the resevoir.



We added decoration to our buildings and the station, and begun working on logos to depict the main schools.


New participants decorated their boxes while thinking of important memories to put inside.






Our first session 03.08.11


Your Memories
Inspired by the presentation on the 20th July some of the Active Living participants met up independantly to document their memories triggered by previous discussion. 'The war' and 'your favourite place' sparked all sorts of recollections and these were shared at the start of our session.



Our Canvas
In our planning sessions we had already determined the geographical area we swished to depict. I arrived with main roads mapped out and work begun on decorating the roads with layers of tissue paper.



Memory Boxes
Each participant decorated their box, exploring layering and letting colours mix creating new and interesting color combinations and textures.
Once their box was completed they began work on decorating key landmarks: the Blake memorial statue, the town hall, the arts centre, the museum, the hospital and the library.




We also decided which roads we wanted incorporated, so that I could draw them in ready for next session and we made careful notes of our memories and took photos ready to add to the finished work.

Wednesday, 24 August 2011

Wednesday 20 July - Memories at the Active Living Group

On Wednesday 20th July we ran a Memories session at the Active Living Meeting.  Beccy introduced the project and Keith Barnard shared some of his local stories.

 


We looked at art work created and stories collected so far, then we invited the group to get into pairs.

In pairs, group members asked each other questions and shared memories connected to special objects that some members had brought along.  There were photographs, poems, pictures, jewellery, documents and more.


Some members of the group volunteered to come to the front and share their stories, these were often quite moving and we were delighted to see how involved everyone was in the activity.


Our final piece will go up in foyer at Victoria Park on Wednesday 14th September. 
Don't forget to come and see it during Somerset Art Weeks!

Saturday, 9 July 2011

Taster Days for 'Keepsakes' Project

 We have held two taster workshops exploring ideas and sharing memories here at Victoria Park and hope you’ll join us in August for three more.
The map we’ll be making, ‘Keepsakes’ will be 1.5 metres square and will contain special boxes with an image and written record of our memories.
These boxes will link to a photograph using threads to show how we are each woven into the history of Bridgwater.
Come and enjoy exploring the layered textures and simple effects created using brightly coloured tissue paper.
Our map will be displayed here during Somerset Art weeks and then at Bridgwater Library during August.

During our taster workshops we found out things we had in common and various items people brought in were passed round;

 We had an old Forster jar from the jam making factory that had been dug up in someone’s garden.
A ship in a bottle made by the Italian POW’s who worked on a poultry farm at Bawdrip.
 A bronze and silver bracelet kept in a special drawer at home.

We also experimented with different effects using tissue paper and began decorating our boxes and had our photographs taken.

While we worked we also chatted and helped remind each other of things we'd forgotten about.

 The smell of strawberry jam along Jammy Lane
The Friday Friendly’s, started in 1945 celebrated its 65th year with a written booklet sold to raise money for Help the Heroes as initially most of the members were ex-servicemen.
Memories of the early Carnivals when they used to journey up North Street
North Street shops, you could buy everything there in the 40’s; Catliff’s the chemist, Dodden’s the butchers, bakers, PO paper and sweet shop.
Memories of the last art workshop here!
Playing as a child when visiting grandparents who were landlords of the River Parrett pub.
How rural Chilton was before the NDR was built.

Sophy Layzell Lead Artist

What's It All About? What is this project?

‘Keepsakes’ at Victoria Park Community Centre
FREE  Summer Art Workshops
Wednesdays August 03, 17, 31
10am - 12.30pm

Have you ever wanted to learn some new creative skills, experiment with different materials and get involved in a local project? 
Now is your chance as we are inviting YOU to come to Victoria Park Community Centre for three creative workshops in August to work with us on a group piece of art work.
Focussing on Bridgwater and our memories associated with the town, we will be creating a collaborative memory map plus individual pieces of art work inspired by important objects that hold significance for you. Please bring an object with you, to share memories associated with it. There will also be photographs taken as part of the artwork.

Your work will be shown during Somerset Art Weeks at Victoria Park Community Centre Foyer from 17 Sept - 01 Oct, and then at Bridgwater Library during October.

Come to all sessions if you can, or pick and mix.
These workshops are FREE!
Ages 8 -100! (Children must be accompanied by an adult.)
No specialist skills required, all welcome!
Co-ordinated by Somerset Art Works (SAW) with support from Sedgemoor District Council
For more info and to book a place call SAW 01458 253800 info@somersetartworks.org.uk    www.somersetartworks.org.uk