Creativity Works





Creativity Works Newsletter
June 2015 
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Directors Blog
Fun, Fun, Fun Palaces!

 

On Monday evening, as part of our co|Create programme, we were privileged to host a Creative Conversation by the hugely inspiring and energetic Stella Duffy entitled, Whose Arts (and Science) is it anyway? Stella dynamically engaged us with her vision for Fun Palaces and along the way gave us micro lessons in audience engagement, the history and context of the original Fun Places concept by Joan Littlewood and Cedric Price and how to write a novel by writing 500 words a day! Stella is a theatre maker, novelist and political activist and is the Fun Palaces founder and co-director.  Through Fun Palaces, she leads the  


campaign to enable greater access for all to arts and sciences, with an annual event every October, locally-led and community-driven. In 2014, 138 locations and venues took part in Fun Palaces across the UK. 3181 people, most of them volunteers, were involved in creating their own Fun Palaces, and 60,000 people attended as participants. Creativity Works will be working alongside Theatre Bath and others to bring Fun Palaces to the area this year. There will be a Fun Palaces workshop happening soon and as we progress with plans will make more information available. Do come and join us and create your own Fun Palace!

 

Another highlight of our co|Create programme will be our International Residency with Mammalian Diving Reflex on 4th and 5th August, exploring their methodology entitled 'Social Acupuncture'. This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the leading socially engaged arts organisations working today and I anticipate that places will fill up very quickly so if you are interested do see our website, facebook page or the article in this newsletter and book your place.

 

Bath Fringe and Fringe Arts Bath came round again and this year we presented a hugely stimulating and adventurous project entitled An Hour A Day. This was a series of one hour workshops, seminars, discussions and debates inspired by creativity, health and wellbeing. Events ranged from an introduction to the 5 Ways to Wellbeing and a film and discussion about Art Therapy and social inclusion, to a workshop on Mindfulness and a talk about the Compassionate Mind. The programme was as diverse as the artwork on the walls that the project accompanied at the Roper Gallery at Bath Artists Studios, all courtesy of our ever-engaging project, Fresh Art@. Fresh Art continues currently in another iteration and we all look forward to seeing the remarkable work produced from this year's project.

 

As I write this our Pentagon project deadline has arrived. We have had a huge amount of interest in these public art micro-commissions and I have heard several breath-taking ideas for applications. We are looking forward to some stunning socially engaged public art in B&NES. Check out our website for updates in the coming weeks.

 


Olly

 

(Director, Creativity Works) 

Thanksyous

  

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IntlResidency
A list of thanks to...  
(in no particular order!)
 
Richer SoundsFor letting us borrow a projector for free!

A massive thanks to Richer Sounds of 4A York Place, Bath, BA1 6AE  

www.richersounds.com who very kindly supported our work across FAB by generously lending us their projector screen and presentation equipment. Thanks and do go and give them a visit if you haven't already done so.

 

 

 

Caterers from Keep Safe, Keep Sane Carers Event

A fantastic thank you and well done to all the caterers of the Keep Safe, Keep Sane Carers Event. Creativity Works, Mind's Mosaic Group and St Mungos have joined forces to create an alliance of people interested in setting up a foodie social enterprise. The venture offers participants training, volunteering opportunities, excellent experience and of course samples of all the delicious foods they have made! The food was well received and we hope to do more, so watch out for us at Green Park Station over the summer or ask us to cater for your event - unique fusion cuisine, wholesome, hearty and very yummy. 

 

All our wonderful volunteers on the elders project

A big thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have worked so very hard on our ongoing elders work in care homes. Irene, Stephanie, Nat, Clare and Carrie, your work is greatly valued and appreciated. 

 

 

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co|Create -  Sign up to first International Residency 
Mammalian Diving Reflex - Imaginative Interventions in Public Spaces

 

Creativity Works is very pleased to announce the first in what it hopes will be a series of international residencies, with a visit in August this year of the internationally renowned socially engaged art company Mammalian Diving Reflex.

 

The Canadian-based company, which Creativity Works' director Oliver Jones describes as

 

  "probably the best socially engaged art facilitator in the world"

 

will be running a two day workshop in Bath on 4 and 5 August.

 

Known for its innovative and surprising ways of getting the public and artists to interact, and using creative interventions as a way to trigger generosity and equity, Mammalian Diving Reflex will take participants through its unique methodology, known as "social acupuncture", and get participants interacting with the public, and designing and trying out interventions to transform relationships and perceptions.

 

Guaranteed to be fun, playful, provocative and inspiring, the two day workshop will give participants tools to design and carry out effective social interventions using art. 

 

When: 4th & 5th August 2015

Where: the Natural Theatre Company studio, Widcombe Hill, Bath. 

http://naturaltheatre.co.uk/contact/ 

Cost: £150.

 

For more information email kate@creativityworks.org.uk 

or you can read more about Mammalian Diving Reflex here: http://mammalian.ca/about/ 

 

BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment, spaces are limited! 

www.creativityworks.org.uk/cocreate  

 

   

Mammalian Diving Reflex's Haircuts by Children project involved young people aged 8-12 being professionally trained to give free haircuts to the public  

 

  WalkDraw
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ProfilePF
New Walk and Draw Group Launching in Bath  
Wednesdays 10.30 - 1pm, starting on the 24th June. 

Download poster here.

   

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Profile: An insight into working with Creativity Works
A Focus on: Philippa, Manager of our Creative Wellbeing Programme  

 

When did you start working for Creativity Works?  

I started working for Creativity Works in 2003 as an artist - at that time we were called nesa (North East Somerset Arts). Very soon I became an arts development worker in South Bath enabling community development through the arts and then began developing 'Creative Links' which has become the 'Mental Health Creative Support Service'. This service provides supportive socially engaged arts in the community to deliver meaningful art that can make a difference.  

 

I also mentor and support artists working in a wide range of art forms. Within the role I also support some inspiring people in developing creative peer support groups including the Tiny Monuments, Writing Space and Breathing Space and help facilitate a wide range of events and exhibitions in arts and culture, wellbeing and health.

  
 

What is your professional background?

I trained in design studies and have worked in varied jobs from marketing manager for the Tortoise Trust (!) to arts facilitation, exhibiting artist, early years educational support, community development and event management. My flexible approach led me to training as a yoga teacher and then on to focusing on arts and health work about 12 years ago. The yoga training gave me the opportunity to look at the links between mind and body and the work I was doing in the arts which is rooted in a wellbeing approach. I'm also a trustee with Arts & Health South West - this network is very supportive helping me to link with other creatives and what's going on regionally and across the UK.

 

What does a typical day look like for Philippa at Creativity Works?

Every day is different, full-on, which makes the role interesting and stimulating. Part of working for a creative organisation, I would say. I love working alongside our participants and artists, which is at the heart of Creativity Works socially engaged ethos and partner organisations in planning workshops, projects and events. I also get involved in the strategic side of things, which support Creativity Works in moving forward. There are many meetings throughout any week and generally it is rare to spend a whole day in the office...

 

(continued on our website...read the whole article here).HouraDaySuccess

 

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Bath Fresh Art@ and "an Hour a Day" success
The hard work paid off!
 

During May and June 'Fresh Art @' exhibited as part of Fringe Arts Bath at Bath Artists Studios. Over the two weeks we ran daily workshops titled 'An Hour a Day' inside the Gallery Space. The aims of the workshops were based around the five ways to well-being with a wide variety of classes ranging from 'Hands On Introduction to iPad training' run by Bath City College to a session about the 'Compassionate Mind' by Talking Therapies & AWP, a talk entitled 'Museum Collections Inspiring Creativity' run by the Bath Museum Partnership and workshops run by New Hope members. We were delighted with the attendance for all our workshops and the generosity of everyone who gave up their time to support this project. We feel that this could be something we can develop on, in the future.

 

Since the Fresh Art @ exhibition ended we have received positive feedback from Bath Artists Studios saying that the 'Hour A Day' brought such a large collection of people to the Gallery that they would not normally get to a standard exhibition, and in turn this has forged relationships between the artists at Bath Artists Studios and other organisations that may not have arisen without 'An Hour A Day' running.

 

Thank you to all the organisations that worked with Creativity Works to pull this series of events together: The Holburne Museum; New Hope; The Care Forum; Bath City College; Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust; No.1 Royal Crescent; Sirona; and the Wellbeing College, with support from the Arts Council,  BaNES Council, Comic Relief and the Quartet Community Fund.

 

For more information on the Fresh Art@ project contact nat@creativityworks.org.uk and philippa@creativityworks.org.uk.





CreativeFacilReview

 

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co|Create -  Creative Facilitation workshop review 
"Inspirational", "Dynamic", Action Packed" and "thorough"...

 

"Inspirational", "dynamic", "action packed" and "thorough" were some of the praise by participants of Creativity Work's one day training on 2 June on Creative Facilitation skills.

The course took ten participants through a series of practical, creative exercises with discussion and reflection looking at: the role of a facilitator, icebreakers, introductory activities, energising activities, boundaries and sensitivities, group behaviour and journaling as a reflection tool. Activities included: movement, using natural objects, low tech animation, sound, craft activities and writing. Also included was a short presentation on socially engaged art and its relevance to creative facilitation.

 

Taking place at Coworking Bath - the Guild, the workshop was a basic introduction or refresher on the skills needed to become a creative facilitator. It was part of the co|Create series of socially engaged artists' continued professional development. Creativity Works plans to repeat the course in September and run a follow up course in autumn.




 
For information on future co|Create events, visit  www.creativityworks.org.uk/cocreate  or email  kate@creativityworks.org.uk SteamMuseum
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Trip to Swindon Steam Museum
with Cleeve Court Care Home next week

 

We are off to Swindon's Steam Museum next week with residents from Sirona's Cleeve Court Care Home. This adventure will start us thinking about the next theme for the kits and resources we are developing alongside care home staff, families and friends and residents to help prompt and spark conversations with elders. So far we have explored 'bringing the outside in' with springy nature and wildlife and next we will be looking at the re-occurring theme of Journeys, Voyages and Discoveries.  

  WSAnthology
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Writing Space group launch first Anthology
Anthology launch event to be held next Tuesday

 

Writing Space is very excited to be launching its first anthology next week.  Writing Space is a peer-led, creative writing group for people with experience of writing who would like to meet others to share ideas and mutual support through the writing process. Some sessions are facilitated by professional writers, others are facilitated and supported by group members.  All sessions involve the sharing and development of work and furthering of ideas. This group provides a safe creative space, in Central Bath, for those who are experiencing periods of sensitive mental health.  Group members, facilitators, support staff and volunteers do their best to accommodate for everyone's needs in order to encourage constructive creative expression within the group.





Does Writing Space sounds like your cup of tea?  Join us! 

 

Contact  camilla@creativityworks.org.uk (or call  01761 438852) for more information or if you would be like to be included on the anthology launch guestlist. 
CoffeeAfternoon
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"Celebrating Creativity" Coffee Afternoon 
Next event: THIS FRIDAY 19th June, 2 - 4pm, @One Centre, St John's Church, Keynsham

 

Come along for a coffee, a chat & an opportunity to do something creative with:

  • Breathing Space  - a supportive creative group
  • New Hope - a peer led group making a difference for those affected by mental health
This joint coffee morning is being arranged by New Hope and Creativity Works. The focus is on creativity and well-being, with opportunities to share your work and find out about the groups.

For more information contact Ralph: 07825 115775 / ralph.lillywhite@mungosbroadway.org.uk


Click here to download the poster for this event - please help us to spread the word!  
 
  CreativeAgeing
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'The Art of Creative Ageing' - Event Review
A lively discussion explored the importance of keeping the brain active

 

On Friday 5 th  June, Marion Naidoo presented 'The Art of Creative Ageing' to a small audience as part of the hour a day celebrations at Bath fringe Arts. A lively discussion explored the importance of keeping the brain active and the benefits of creativity in the ageing process.  
 
In the afternoon, mature residents from Partis College and St John's Hospital, Bath celebrated their wonderful work - mainly pottery of all sorts of whimsical nature including bird houses, brooches, vases and decorations. Artist Kerry Morrison worked with the ladies as part of the ongoing Im.age.in project, kindly supported by St John's Hospital Community Fund and Quartet. 
 
The 'Sofa So Good' project with artist Fiona Winning explored concepts of the ageing process, people's memories and their ambitions to share their experiences with other generations. (Our very own local 'Listening Project'.) Watch this space for more sofa work to come!


TrusteeAd 
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Could you be a Trustee for Creativity Works?
Trustees Required
 

We are looking to widen our Board of Trustees for Creativity Works and would welcome any expressions of interest. We are particularly looking for those with skills in the following areas:  

- Human Resources;
- Legal Services;
- Fundraising;
- Accounting;
- or the Visual Arts. 
 

  

You will be helping to lead a hard working, creative and dedicated team of staff, steering the way in the effective growth and promotion of this expanding organisation.

Trustees meet at least 6 times a year and we encourage engagement in particular areas of work and ongoing projects.

  

Further detail about our work is available on our website www.creativityworks.org.uk.

 

For more information please contact our Chairman, Karl Bevis (karlbevis@btinternet.com). If you would like to apply for a position as a Trustee, please send Karl your CV and written application. Consideration of applications will be ongoing.

 
Please feel free to spread the word - you can download the advert here.OtherNews
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Other News...

  

 
Download the poster here
 
Download the poster here
 

Download more information on this lovely dance project in partnership with Creativity Works. 

 
Download poster here
 
Adam Lent appearing at Keynsham Music Festival in July - download poster here
 
Download poster here
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With Best Wishes,

The Creativity Works Team


For more information:
Tel: 01761 438852

Email: info@creativityworks.org.uk 

Supported by Bath & North East Somerset Council and Arts Council England

 

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Creativity Works | 01761 438852 | info@creativityworks.org.uk | http://www.creativityworks.org.uk
Leigh House
1 Wells Road
Radstock
Bath, BA3 3RN
Supported by:

BANES-Council


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Registered Charity No. 1075812 Company No. 3768255 Creativity Works for Everyone is a company limited by guarantee registered in England