Parson Cross Starter Studio Programme

This page documents my experiences on the Yorkshire Artspace Starter Studio Programme for Socially Engaged Practice see the link below for more info:

http://artspace.org.uk/starter-studio-programme

tHE JOuRNEY so far....
June 2013
Installation experiment!
Today I had an hour with my mentor Sally Lemsford to create a installation working on  my installaling skills. I was hoping to venture outside but alas the rain prevailed and my work wasn't waterproof yet so these are the results go ahead and have  a look:

The circle installation is a collection of  thoughts ,experiences,conversations and interventions that reflect what I have been up to each week in Parson Cross since I started my studio in February 2012.

Clearing the space- The Atrium at Soar Works,Knutton Road,PX

Whist installing the work Sally fired questions at me making me consider the space,colour ,materials and the way I want people to interact with the work.
All these considerations informed how I installed the work and was probably the most valuable part of the process for me.

Hanging the work with simple pegs

Considering the materials

Half way through....

complete!

December 2012:

This Christmas I've been out and about chatting and making urban wreaths with people, first stop the Christmas Fair at the Cross Yew Lane, then off to the Learning Zone helping to make giant lantern stars with Art in the Park and finally decorating the Library trees with budding resident artist Bailey installing the wreaths!

Thanks for all your help Bailey, Looking forward to more making and exploring this year in Parson Cross ….watch out for a possible Parson Cross seed swop this spring!

September 29th 2012:

Trailing project - Parson Cross Trail :Exploring green spaces in Parson Cross

JUNE 2012:THINKING/MAKING/THINKING/MAKING!
the TRAILING PROJECT

This required lots of thinking time, mixed in with some making and chatting. Ideas started to ferment about a possible project,walking round Parson Cross meeting people in their gardens(Bob/Stan/Roy /Family allotment). The process goes on ....

 

Thought Circles installation .... a circle to show key moments of the week passed, it could include maps, thoughts ,comments and images. All circles are made with some materials I have been using that week.

May 2012:

Making links...... 

Question: How does it all link together? 

The postcards,garden spotting, meeting people, library work and mini interventions.  
And so my first mini intervention to attract attention to the green spaces of Parson Cross.... and a Library residency 
Bird Book session as away of engaging people.

Mini intervention at Tongue Gutter Parson Cross 

  April 2012:

Making contact!- meeting Barbara ( Colley Road) and hearing of her experiences of gardening  and growing 'its my hobby I love it ,cant stop it!', inspires ideas and possibilities for working in the area. Barbara's  gardening tip 'Just do it!

March 2012:
GARDEN SPOTTING!!
Having overcome the fear of talking to people on the street and having had many positive responses I talk to Ania Bas-( resident artist at SOAR Knutton Road studio) about possible ways of engaging with people.
And so POSTCARDS and Garden spotting began!-  walking and cycling around Parson Cross posting cards through peoples houses .The postcards are a way of making contact with local people who have interestiing gardens and may be passionate about gardening. 
Eagerly awaiting replies ........ 

February 2012:

Question:How can I engage naturally ?

OUT and about in Sharrow and Parson Cross with Artist and mentor Sally Lemsford,we investigated ways to engage with people in the streets. I wanted to assess peoples local knowledge of the green spaces and parks asking them : Where is the nearest park?


Sally Lemsford blog:flamingskirtfestival.blogspot.co.uk