During September and October our Community Heritage Curator Gemma and artists Ailsa and Lucy from Pioneer Projects took to the road with an assortment of curious objects from the museum collection and a supply of art materials. Read on to discover more about their project:
We wanted to deliver a series of sessions in Settle, Bentham, Ingleton, Grassington and Skipton focused on creativity and imagination. ‘The Moving Museum’ sessions were principally designed for older people and people living with long term neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, as well as their caregivers.
We held the six sessions in public spaces throughout the Craven district and passing members of the public were warmly welcomed and encouraged to handle the objects and create their own artwork. We had a fantastic team of volunteers who had attended specialised training provided by Pioneer Projects and supported participants during the sessions.
The sessions were relaxed and welcoming, allowing everyone to participate at their own pace. We began with refreshments and introductions, followed by a handling session and discussion of a range of objects. Some of the objects came from the geology collection. Handling these beautiful shells, fossils and minerals inspired immediate enjoyment of the colours and textures, and amazement at how they had formed, sometimes over millions of years. Other objects came from the museum’s social history collection, relating to home life, working life and childhood, and inspired fascinating stories and sparked conversations.
We talked about the possible, probable, and sometimes improbable, uses for the objects. We imagined how they were made, who might have used them and heard personal stories prompted by them.
We then moved on to the artwork, using a printmaking technique called trace monoprint. This was the first time many of the participants had used this technique and most did not consider themselves to be good at art. But everyone had a go, and found the process absorbing and fun. You can see some of their amazing results below:
The artwork created by participants and volunteers will be on display in our touring exhibition:
Looking Well Studios, Bentham 18th November- 12th December
Devonshire Institute, Grassington 13th December to 5th January
Ingleborough Community Centre, Ingleton 6th January to 24th January
If you would like to know more about this or other projects run by Craven Museum and Galley or Pioneer Projects please contact:
Craven Museum and Gallery: 01756 700600 museum@cravendc.gov.uk
Pioneer Projects (Celebratory Arts): 015242 62672 office@pioneerprojects.org.uk