National Saturday Art Club

The Studio Morland
2022-present

It was a pleasure to lead the National Saturday Art Club for 14 to 17 year olds who came together as a community at The Studio Morland to discover their creativity.

Throughout the programme they were introduced to a wide range of artistic techniques, tools and materials and encouraged to develop their ideas. These are the mixed media character-scapes achieved by the talented young people on a six week collaborative project from design to finished artworks. We spent a wonderful day in London seeing the artwork exhibited at Somerset House at the National Saturday Art Club Summer Show.

Ace Art

South Lakes Federation Of Schools
2012 - 2019

I facilitated the Ace Art Programme for the South Lake Federation of Schools for 7yrs. The programme was aimed at young people aged 14 -16 years old who were not attending school, due to issues relating to anxiety, behaviour, mental health or unresolved bullying. I designed a flexible curriculum which prioritised a supportive and informal learning environment. The focus was on self-worth and building confidence which meant I was able to meet a wide range of individual needs.

Students could complete a GCSE, an Arts Award, a portfolio or engage in a more therapeutic approach as needed. Some reintegrated into school, gained qualifications and/or went on to college. The success of the programme was reflected in near full attendance and achievements which often exceeded school and parental expectations. 

Commissioned and funded by Cumbria County Council

Time and Place

2007 - 08

This was a collaborative textile heritage project based on the local motto “wool is my bread.” 

I worked with Queen Katherine and Kirby Kendal secondary schools, the Oral Society, County Archives and Kendal Libraries local history department. Students learned how to research textile references found in geographical locations across the county. They found that engaging with local history could be fun. We used our hands to knit a monumentally giant sock from enormous balls of un spun rovings which were like big fluffy clouds, donated by The British Wool Board. The installation grew fast in the library’s atrium and was a fitting tribute to Kendal’s hosiery history, the inspiration behind the knitted, site-specific installation. 

Pupils recreated themselves in the drama, postures and costume of the original textile workers referenced from historic photographs. They posed in action as shearers, carders and weavers whilst the others drew them. Six digitally printed banners were created from the drawings which were then hand embellished by the pupils and exhibited at The Brewery Arts Centre and Farfield Mill.

Commissioned by Kendal Windows on Art. Funded by Cumbria Community Foundation, Awards for All

Artist in Residence

 ‘The A to Z of Barrow Island’ Community Textile Banner, 1997

Created by the children, parents, friends, families, teachers and governors of the primary school and nursery.

Commissioned by Bram Longstaffe Nursery & Barrow Island Primary School, Barrow
Funded by Cumbria Arts in Education, Barrow Borough Council Arts Committee

‘Harry Potter’ Textile Mural, 2003

The sheer enthusiasm in the children for this magical project was an enormous amount of fun.

Commissioned by Crosscrake Primary School, Kendal
Funded by Lupton Towers Trust, The Hadfield Trust

Four Seasons of Village Life’ Textile Mural (10m X 4.5m), 1995-6

Created with every child in the school who nicknamed me Ms Wiz.

Commissioned by St Patricks C of E Primary School, Endmoor
Funded by Cumbria Arts in Education, Lupton Towers Trust, School P.T.A.

Art Exhibition, Hong Kong, 1996

As Artist in Residence at St Andrews Primary School, Sek Kong Primary School and St George’s Secondary Schools, we created an exhibition and celebratory event to mark an important historical event that would impact all of the children. Most of the children were leaving when China regained control of Hong Kong, the following year in 1997. The exhibition was a celebration of the children's personal views and responses to their time spent in Hong Kong.

Commissioned by Lancaster University, In Service Development
Funded by Service Children’s Education Association, Hong Kong