Jewellery making at Eco Art club

Last night's Jewellery making session at my Eco Art Club, Quorn, produced some amazing pieces. Everything was made from scrap wire, old beads and recycled bits and bobs, proving that you don't need special equipment to create Christmas or birthday gifts for loved ones. The wire ring was demonstrated by Laura back in the summer and I have now shown it to so many groups that you must have all seen an example! The following were made by school children aged from 8 to 11 years...and me!

SWAG birdtable

This beautiful mosaic bird table was created by members of the SWAG (Socially Wheeled Action Group). Today, group members and students from ALP at Rawlins worked hard to clear up the garden behind the Youth club with Ciaran Fern (my lovely husband!). Once the bird table is cemented into place I will invite local press to an unveiling!

Mono printing workshop

Using polystyrene, Biros and water based printing ink, a group of children aged between 6 and 11 enjoyed a mono printing workshop last night with me, here at Rawlins. This activity was part of our ever strengthening Creative Crafts after school club.

The last day of October Art Camp at Rawlins

Oh no..it's our last day. This week has flown by, each day has been even more diverse and creative than the last. Today we have a lovely group and as I speak we have masks being designed, sewing, badge making and dream catchers being woven. It's so calm and relaxed! Thank you to all the children who have participated, the parents who have allowed them to and the helpers who have made this short week so full of support and stress free.

Clay creations

Still altering books..with amazing results!

Altered book making at Art Camp

Today has already been full of experimentation and colour! We have been altering books using lots of different techniques. Try this one at home..it is so much fun!

Artists at Rawlins

A witch and her cat by Elise aged 6

Day three and the Echo is coming!

Look out...we are going to be in the Loughborough Echo! Isaac Ashe is coming over this afternoon to see what we are up to here at Art Camp.

Today's excitement includes silhouette art, clay modelling, mask making using our own faces and some costume experimentation!

If you feel you are missing out and the weather is looking grim...don't worry, there are still places available for tomorrow and Friday. Call 01509 622827 to reserve your place.

Witches at art camp!

Cackle cackle...

Spooky hands at Art Camp

Fake hands, made from gloves, cardboard, newspaper, modroc and paint kept us VERY BUSY today at Art Camp, Rawlins. Hand themes included 'zombies' 'vampires' werewolves' and 'witches'. Look out for one waving at you sometime soon!

Tomorrow we are making wigs among other things!!!!

October Art Camp starts!

A spooky and sparkly theme takes us into this October half term's art camp and today's participants did a fantastic job of constructing pop up ghosts, designing Gothic jewellery and using chalk pastels to draw spooky heads to hang up!

This spider necklace was made from beads, wire and leather!

We still have places left for children from 5 to 14. Call Rawlins on 01509 622827 or go online to book a place at www.rawlinscollege.org.uk

Creation Mosaics are unveiled!

The 7 days of creation, as told in Genesis in the Bible, were depicted in paper mosaics on painted MDF by a group of 6 year 6's at Hall Orchard Primary School in Barrow upon Soar. This morning, this stunning collection of art works were unveiled in an assembly I was delighted to be invited to. If anyone is interested in borrowing this collection, perhaps a local church, then please let me know. They are aproximately one metre square each.

Paper Animation!

Last night's Eco Art Club was loads of fun and the materials used were practically free! We did two animation techniques based on scrap paper and card, a it of string and some pens. Easy!

Technique 1:

Fold a piece of normal A4 paper in half and cut in half, making a card shape. Draw an image inside the card and then close it and draw another image on the front, tracing the original image through the paper EXCEPT this time, you change one thing, creating a movement. Examples could be an eye that is closed one one picture and open on another, or a heart that is complete and then broken etc.

Roll the top sheet (front) around a pencil so the paper curls then use the pencil to create a left and right motion, making the image animate!

Technique 2:

Cut a strip of thick paper or thin card (like half a bookmark)

Make a hole at each end and thread a bit of string or rubber band through so that you can hold the ends and spin the card.

Draw an image of some kind of container on one side, like a goldfish bowl

Draw an image of something that goes into the container on the other side, like a goldfish.

Spin, and watch the two pictures merge as one!

Last minute idea!!!!! Please read!!!!!

I have just got the go ahead to run a taster session for anyone who wants to try out my after school club TONIGHT!

For a fee of just £2 you can come and join us from 4 to 5 at Rawlins. Tonight we are making multi coloured pom poms that turn into animals! How much fun will that be??

So, if you have seen this in time and have any young people in your family (aged 8 to 14) then COME ALONG. No need to pre-book or anything!

Nick Clements at Staffordshire University

Nick Clements, World Renowned Community Arts Practitioner, has been named Honorary Professor of Community Arts at Staffordshire University.

For those of you who don't know, I am mid way through an M.A. in Community and Participatory Arts there.

On Wednesday I am attending an event run by Nick which will focus on collaborative practice (look for his book 'Creative Collaborations'), funding, confidence, collaboration and multi-tasking (every com artist's first skill!)

Nick founded The Pioneers, a Community Arts organisation based in South Wales, in 1981. From that time through to 2002 he worked with over 60,000 people to create more than 500 projects - from painted murals, through mosaics into stained glass and ceramics; from Infants Schools to Comprehensive, to residents groups and large corporations.

Half Term Art Camp..book now!

Spooky and Sparkly is the theme of the forthcoming Art Camp at Rawlins! A team of artists and workshop leaders will take you through the steps you need to make costumes, fake hands, pop up ghosts and much more. Ages 5 to 16 (split into three groups) £14 a day. To book call 01509 622827.

Messenger FRONT PAGE NEWS!

re the Messenger article...we made front page in the 'Communities of Bradgate Park' edition! I have had a fantastic response to Arts Award this year already, having been busy meeting new candidates and arranging workshops and trips.

Yesterday one of our dedicated Arts Award members, Charlotte, made some beautiful jewellery during her 'free period', proving that independent learning can be really rewarding!

Eco Art Club

ScRaP BiT pEoPLe

Make a little friend from two pipe cleaners and scraps of material, oddments of wool, beads from old necklaces and a bit of imagination!

No rules...just have a go!

If you want to sign up to my after school club there are still places! Call 01509 622827

Creative Writing at Charnwood Arts!

Creative Writing Workshops at Charnwood Museum Saturday 10th October
Be inspired by the pictures in the new exhibition at Charnwood Museum and create your own poems and creative writing. Alison Dunne a short story writer and talented poet is known as the 'Book Doctor' for Leicester Libraries and is running creative writing workshops for local children and adults to take part in.

The workshops are part of the free exhibition 'Identity NHS Open Art Show 2009' which runs until Sunday 1st November. The show was created to demonstrate how art - creating it or viewing it-can be a great way to improve your mental health and wellbeing.

Children's workshop (aged 7-12) 10.30am - 12.30pm Workshops cost £5 per person, £2.50 for concessions.

Adult workshop 2pm - 4pm Free

Booking is essential to secure your place on these exciting events as places are limited. To book contact the museum on 01509 233754 or e-mail museum@charnwood.gov.uk for further details.

Arts Award Enhancement!

2.55, G13...the first Arts Award enhancement at Rawlins! I have DVDs, leaflets, example folders, course details and, of course, my own experiences with Arts Award to share with all who attend. Remember, it's new, it's open to EVERYONE aged between 11 and 25 with even the slightest artistic, musical, theatrical or creative leaning and it will make your CV SHINE!

Creative Crafts Club...enrol NOW!

Over 8 yrs old only
Tues
4 - 5pm
6th October 10wks
Rawlins College

£32.50

This course offers a diverse selection of skills and creative experimentation for young people who want to try new things. What makes it unique is that is was designed and created by young people to be delivered and taught by professional artists. As well as drawing and designing techniques, there will be a focus on development in materials through textiles, resistant materials and mixed media. Model-making, weaving, mask-making and jewellery design will all be included, yet the activities will remain fluid to cater for the individuals participating. Completely suitable for all abilities and a great chance to make friends!

Feedback for blog!

Thanks to everyone who have given me such positive feedback for the start of this blog. I can't believe I didn't start it ages ago. Thanks too, to the lovely Dan, who has linked it to www.hayleyfern.com for easy access! I think I can safely say that blogging will be my new and most effective way of keeping everyone informed on the latest news from Rawlins Community Arts Programme. Please keep in touch!

October Art Camp!

Right now I am recruiting for helpers for October Art Camp here at Rawlins. The camp is available for 5 to 16 year olds and runs from 10am to 4pm (with options for extension time) from Monday 19th to Friday 23rd October. If you are interested in being an assistant or a volunteer, please email me on hayleyfern@rawlinscollege.org.uk

If you want to sign up for Camp, call Rawlins on 01509 622800 or visit the website for online booking!

More details to follow!!

Article in The Messenger

I have just had a call from The Messenger (a community newspaper spin off of the Leicester Mercury) with confirmation that they are running an article about our Arts Award workshop at Rawlins Open Evening (Tuesday). Let me know if you see it in any other newspapers as I told quite a few about it!!

VISITORS to Rawlins Community College open evening were able to find out more about an Arts Award qualification.A jewellery workshop was held to promote the new qualification which is being run at the college in Quorn by Loughborough jewellery designer Laura Cornwell and Rawlins student Martinique Cocks. Visitors could access the Arts Award website, look through participants’ folders and have a go at making a piece of jewellery. The Arts Award is a national qualification available at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Young people aged 11 to 25 can explore any of the art forms. The award is designed to build confidence, help young people to enjoy cultural activities, and prepare them for further education or employment.Anyone interested in Arts Award at Rawlins should contact Hayley Fern at hayleyfern@rawlinscollege.org.uk for details.

Arts Award opportunity for all Rawlins students

I am so excited about Arts Award at Rawlins this year! Not only is Arts Award in the prospectus and brochures here at Rawlins, it is now on the timetable (I have a BTec class) and a weekly slot in the Inclusion Unit. I'm meeting some amazing young people who are going to make such a success of this opportunity.

But what if you are not in either of those groups?? Never fear! I have now got a room booked to be an Arts Award Enhancement EVERY TUESDAY. It is G13, which is a lovely room to use. Come along and have a chat about way in which you too can achieve that extra qualification for a glowing CV!

Eco Art has been a popular option for me (both ethically and budget wise) and I have run outdoor workshops, stalls, clubs, camps and lessons using the idea of recycling as a basis for the activity. I am now doing articles for the Barrow Voice and Leicestershire Matters as well as, hopefully, many more local publications, showing step-by-step guides to activities. Let me know if you can think of other ways this might be used! The images here show the recycled Metal Heads, kites from carrier bags and flowers from plasic bottles!

Eco Art Club

As I am hitting the ground running with this diary, I'm going to try and gradually form a picture of what I do and how you can get involved as I go. Today I am off to spend an hour with a group of year 4 and 5s (aged 7 and 8ish) to create some art with recyled materials.

Old silver door plaques
By Hayley Fern for Eco Art Club

You need:
· Corrugated (box) cardboard
· Scissors
· PVA Glue or flour and water paste
· Aluminium foil (used if you are serious about recycling!)
· A felt tip pen
· Poster paint in green and brown with an old brush
· An old rag

Directions:
1. Cut a piece of card to size (about 25cm x 12cm)
2. On a second piece of card, write your name or a word like ‘PRIVATE’ in big chunky letters, making sure that all of the letters will fit onto your cardboard base (step 1)
3. Carefully cut out the letters
4. Glue the letters to the cardboard base
5. Place a sheet of foil over the whole thing making sure it goes over the edges (it will need to be about 30cm x 17cm)
6. Once you are sure about the size, put to one side for a moment
7. Spread a thin layer of glue all over your plaque
8. Lay the foil over the top and rub carefully with your fingers pushing the foil into all the edges of the cardboard letters so that you can read them through the foil
9. Turn over and glue the edges of the foil to the back of the plaque
10. Paint the plaque with poster paint using browns and greens to create an old, tarnished effect
11. Finally, rub the rag carefully over the whole plaque revealing silver areas where the paint has come off to create a spooky, old plaque effect. Perfect to hang on your bedroom door!