Patients at Penn Hospital make Artworks for The Joy of Making exhibition 

          

I get a buzz out of working with all types of people but I have to say that working in situations where you feel that you are making a positive contribution to people's lives is absolutely the most rewarding.I

It is great to be invited to lead sessions even if they are only a few hours long but it is even better when I am able to be involved in a project that develops over several weeks. That way I get the chance to build up relationships and I am also able to see the growth in people's confidence and abilities. It is so rewarding! 
Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Wolverhampton Arts and Heritage Service recently gave me such an opportunity; I was the artist invited to lead seven weekly sessions with patients at Penn Hospital, Wolverhampton.
The first week that we made felted mats with felted fringing was the only week that a lady called J took park. She amazed the OT team by staying engaged in the activity for much longer than usual. She really enjoyed the sensory experience of working with the soapy water and rubbing the wool fibres. Claire who was assisting her was fantastic at taking time to ensure that she had the chance to choose her own colours. J also took care over the placing of the turquoise mohair knitting yarn to make her pattern.
In the sessions there was often laughter and so when J stood up to dance this was a lovely sign of a happy person who felt relaxed and comfortable.
So at the final session I laid out all the mats and everyone could see just how far they had progressed and they were proud of their achievements. They have made work which is worthy of being included in an exhibition in a prestigious public art gallery.

 Link to full blog post 

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Kate's perfect Felted Cushion Party


 

Lots of people ask me what exactly do you do at a Felting Birthday Party? 

Kate celebrated her 11th birthday by having an AllSensesArt Felted Cushion Making Party. She invited 5 of her friends and I led them through the process. Kate's cushion is the green and turquoise one; colours to match her newly decorated bedroom. We started with fluffy merino sheep's wool fibres, and within two hours they had made their felted cushion front, sewn it onto a backing piece of fabric and stuffed it. The party was lots of fun, the girls got really creative, and they have a lovely memento of the day and unique accessory for their bedroom.

Link to full blog post and step by step photos

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 Hand Felted Portraits and Stitched Photographs go on show in Wolverhampton

       

Earlier this year I worked on a community outreach project between Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Wolverhampton Adult Education Service. I was really privileged to get to work with St Chad's Arts and Craft Group. What a wonderfully talented group of ladies they are! Over six half day sessions we had lots of fun using some interesting visual arts techniques. We started with making felted flowers and very quickly launched into 'drawing' with wool fibres to 'paint' hand felted portraits. We also stitched into copies of old photographs making interesting textural images where memories and significant events from their lives were explored. The work was so good that Wolverhampton Art Gallery gave them an exhibition! Now at its second venue the Adult Education Centre, Old Hall Street, Wolverhampton. Runs until 2nd Jan 2011.

Link to full blog post

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