Learning Blog - Helen Hienkens-Lewis
2 September 2010
In August we continued running our Hope Wall Community workshops, with
two family workshops at the Loseley Fields children's centre. We also
started a new Big Issues workshop programme at HMP Bronzefield for women
prisoners. Nathalie Roset, Watts Gallery's Artist in Residence in
2009-10 led the workshops, making terracotta figures, which were
decorated with textures, images and words that reflect identity of the
maker.
28th July 2010
Today we had a Hope Wall Community Art Workshop at the Compton Village Hall, with a clay tile workshop for Watts Gallery volunteers and staff and creative writing workshop. We all got very engrossed in making clay tiles and I certainly enjoyed a relaxing hour or so making a tile inspired by the Peace roundel on the Watts Chapel. Making something is very calming and it was lovely to take some time out of the office to be creative.
24th July 2010
This week we have been running Hope Wall Community Art Workshops at the Loseley Fields Children’s Centre, with workshops for under 5’s in nursery and with their parent’s and carers. It was great so see how little fingers were able to achieve so much in clay and make pretty impressive press moulded tiles. The parents and staff also got really involved.
1 July 2010
Amy Barnes, Writer in Residence for the Hope Wall Community Art Project has provided this week’s blog on the Hope Wall Community Art Project
What inspires me most about the Watts Gallery community projects is the ‘art for all’ ethos that underpins each and every one. These projects are inclusive, and allow individuals and communities to assert their diverse identities.
The Hope Wall project was inspired by G.F Watts’s painting, ‘Hope’, and is largely influenced by the Watts Chapel in Compton and Postman’s Park in London. The Chapel was built by Mary Seton Watts and the local people of Compton at the turn of the 20th century, the Watts Chapel is a long-standing testament to the dedication of Mary and the people of the surrounding area. The fact that an experienced artist took the time to share her expertise with the community and together produce something so astoundingly beautiful is something that should not be forgotten. The Watts Gallery has recognised this, and so the ‘art for all’ ethos continues to feature in its community projects.
My involvement with this project thus far has been incredibly interesting and inspiring.
Tuesday 4 May 2010
Last week we piloted a costume project with year 5 students at Tillingbourne Junior School. We all had a great time with the groups and trying out the replica Victorian Costumes made specifically for KS2 children, inspired by the Watts Gallery collection.
The next pilot will be with Westfield Primary School this week, which I am really looking forward to.
Thursday 25 February 2010
It was some trepidation that I dusted off my sewing machine, which hasn’t been used in a few years and headed of to the Surrey Arts Wardrobe. I was joined there by three enthusiastic volunteers who had offered to help making some garments for a Watts Gallery Costume loan box for use by primary school children. We started off with a tour of the wardrobe by Katy May (the manager), looking at the variety of costumes that they have to hire and then got down to the serious job of making. Sara had the challenging task of making a pattern for a G.F.Watts robe. There was lots examining of robes in the wardrobe collection for children and then re-looking again at photographs of Watts wearing his robe, to get the design just right. By the end of the day the pattern was made and the fabric cut and I’m looking forward to seeing the final piece. Catherine worked on making a corset and Pauline and I started making a chemise each. Now I’m off to buy some bias binding for the Watts robe.
The Watts Gallery Costume Loan box for primary schools is being developed in partnership with Surrey Arts Wardrobe and will be piloted in the Summer Term 2010. It will be available for schools to use in conjunction with artist led sessions with from the Autumn Term 2010.
Thursday 28 January 2010
Last week at Street Level Arts we went along to take photographs of the work that they have made during the Big Issues project in 2009. The plates and mugs that they decorated at Grayshott Pottery were particularly interesting, with lots of experimentation with wax resist techniques and mark making. It was also Maurice’s 60th birthday, so we all enjoyed celebrating with a big chocolate cake as well. (photographs by Anne Purkiss)
Monday 14 December 2009
Street Level Arts group had a great time when they visited Grayshott Pottery recently, as part of their “Big Issues” workshop programme. The group, which meets weekly, have taken part in a series of pottery workshops with the Gallery this year, to make their own pieces and develop their pottery skills. The visit to Grayshott was a real eye opener into how a pottery factory works and they all had the chance to try using a pottery wheel and decorate a plate.
For more information about Grayshott Pottery visit www.grayshottpottery.com
Wednesday 11th November 2009
We have recently been making a tactile book for visually impaired children with The Abbey School, inspired by the Watts Chapel. The book is a tactile delight, in exploring what is visually a very stunning building. A particular favourite page of mine is the maze as well as the handmade cat that accompanies you through the book, rather like the Chapel cats do when you visit. There is even a button to press to hear its meow!
The book is on display at Waterstone’s in Guildford (High Street) until Sunday 15th November 2009, as part of the Surrey Museum’s Consultative Committee Tactile Book Competition display.
Saturday 4 September 2009
The Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Pauline Searle with Helen Hienkens-Lewis
The Guildford branch of the WEA held their AGM at Abbots Hospital, Guildford attended by WEA members, prospective students and the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Pauline Searle. To launch the event I gave a talk about Watts Gallery and the Art for All learning programme. The branch are offering a very good selection of courses in the forthcoming year for adults, for more information log onto their website www.weaguildford.org.uk
Friday 3 July 2009
Skills4Learning project in partnership with George Abbot School
This project was funded by the MLA which enabled Watts Gallery to work with George Abbot School and a group of year seven students, over two terms. The group started the project with a visit to the Watts Chapel and went on to make felt panel pieces inspired by their visit. Outreach workshops followed at the School and the resulting art work went on display in an exhibition the school as well as reproductions being placed on display on the hoardings at the Watts Gallery. Do come and see these colourful reproductions, they are located opposite the entrance of the Watts Gallery Information Point and Shop.
Friday 26 June 2009
A visit from BBC Southern Counties Radio to the Watts Gallery Restoration Site
Helen Hienkens-Lewis
Head of Learning
