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Read all about our current work, get in touch for more info and please share with a friend or colleague to help us spread the word.
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Director's Blog
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Last Tuesday saw the final session of our pilot Creative Care Course run in collaboration with Bath College at their Care Academy. The ten-week programme, open to anyone but specifically targeted at students and those working within the care sector, was also supported by Skills for Care.
The participants were introduced to a number of ideas and techniques, as a foundation for their creative practice.
They explored theatre, dance, poetry, and visual art amongst other things and in their penultimate session, created a manifesto based on their learning and experience, supported by artist Ali Brown. I think it is fantastic and an emblematic fusion of our socially engaged approach, our commitment to our work in care settings and our support and development of artists and creative practice.
Here it is:
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Creative Care - A Manifesto
We believe...
In valuing care, time, people, process, lives and living and 'being'
In caring creatively for the whole person: body, mind and soul
In making safe, trusting spaces for creativity to thrive
In being flexible and making adjustments - both big and small, to allow creativity to flourish
In fun!
In discovering questions, whilst looking for answers
Creativity is play
Creativity creates a sense of freedom
Creativity is about remembering who you are - it allows you to be yourself
Care isn't just for the person living in the home, it is for everyone, staff included.
This last item is very much what our three year Home Service project has been about: embedding creativity into the care home setting, working with residents, staff and families alike. This project is now nearing its end and we had a great celebration of some of the work that we have been doing in Robinson House, Stockwood, Bristol, where Ali Brown has developed a multi-functional sofa, upholstered in material emblazoned with the residents' own art work. It contains beautiful and meaningful objects in its cleverly designed pockets, including photos, lavender and little toys. It also accommodates books relating many of the stories that have been told by the residents over the past couple of years. Working with arts organisation Stand&Stare, these stories have been made into stunning books that use their tangible memories app to engage aurally with the stories. One of these books was a wonderfully crafted poetry anthology, alongside workshop resources for carers and their families, created by Hilda Sheehan, who has been working mainly at Cleeve Court in Twerton.
We very much hope to continue our work with Elders and are always interested in talking with individuals and organisations about possible collaboration, so do get in touch if you have an idea, or would like to be involved in our work with Elders or in the care sector more generally, in the future.
I hope that you have a wonderful Easter, full of creativity! I am off to make some sugar-free Easter eggs for the kids - they'll love 'em!
Olly
Director, Creativity Works
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News from our Creative Wellbeing Groups
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Snap & Stroll - Keynsham: Through A lens
The Keynsham Snap & Stroll Group, who have used photography as a way to support their mental health, showcased their work at a successful exhibition at the library in Keynsham last week.
Snap & Stroll is a community project facilitated by Sally Collister of In Picture CIC and funded by Creativity Works, Bath College's Community Learning Service and supported by Sirona.
These fun, informative and creative 10 week courses were run as a pilot last year and proved so successful that they have been repeated in Keynsham and most recently in Radstock (their exhibition opens this week).
Participants learn some digital photography skills and went in search of scenes to 'capture' - from smallest details to more recognised landmarks.
We'll be running some more Snap & Stroll courses as part of our creativity for wellbeing, new dates and locations will be announced soon - keep an eye on our website and newsletter!
One participant shares his experiance of being a part of this project below:
Snap & Stroll Keynsham
By Ken
Snap & Stroll, the title itself embodying the theme of the group with a 'get out there' and take some photos mandate. No matter the camera, outdoors is arguably the best scenario for capturing imagery in natural light. The group made exploring our town in a fun and adventurous way with the means to document our outings in a still image format. On occasion it is quite a sight, once some onlookers had mistaken us as a group playing Pokemon Go!
The course has opened up the opportunity with the community for anyone to have the opportunity to produce photographs, learn new skills or to sharpen skills already there.
Snap and Stroll has helped me 'get out of my shell' a bit more and I got to know my quaint mobile phone camera better. Before I was a Uni Media graduate who only wanted to work/felt more comfortable with DSLR cameras, I now feel more comfortable working with other mediums. It is more about technique than technology after all.
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One of the participants in the Beginners Writing group has written a poem (called The Lake). It's a series of haiku working together. We are delighted to share it with you below. The beginners writing group is a 10 week course which began in February, for beginners with no previous experience of creative writing to develop confidence in writing for those who are experiencing or in recovery from anxiety, depression and mental health challenges.
We hope you enjoy the poem. |
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THE LAKE
HOW PEACEFUL IT IS
HOW RELAXING IT CAN BE
HOW HELPFUL IT IS
SPRING HAS COME NOW
WITH IT, DUCKS SWIM FAST NOW
WITH THEM, MY LIFE BLOOMS
IN THE BEGINNING
THE LAKE WAS MY ONLY HOPE
NOW IT IS MY WORLD
SPRING HAS BROUGHT LIGHT
SPRING HAS BROUGHT COURAGE
I HAVE TO LEAVE NOW
BUT I WILL COME AGAIN
TO THE LAKE THAT SAVED ME ONCE
THAT HEALED ME WITH PEACE
IT WILL ALWAYS BE
ETERNAL IN MY BLACK EYES
IT WILL TRAVEL FAR
by Jenny Pantoja
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J.Paul Getty Museum Grad Visits FreshArt@ Project
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Last month we hosted a visit for Jennelyn Tumalad Graduate Intern
in Public Programs at The J.Paul Getty Museum, California, USA.
We asked Jennelyn to share some of her experiance with us:
I am currently the 2016-2017 Graduate Intern in Public Programs at the J. Paul Getty Museum focusing on academic, performance, and artist programs. I accepted this position at the end of my Master's Program at Pratt Institute, where I studied the History of Art and Design with a focus on Museum Studies. During my Masters, I focused my research on possible intersections between educators within the museum and socially engaged art practices. I have worked in the Education Departments of the Museum of Modern Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, and the Museum of Arts and Design.
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"For the past few years I have been deeply interested in art as a form of social practice and art as a tool for creative thinking and community engagement. With my grant funded position at the J. Paul Getty Museum, I was also awarded a travel grant to pursue research in artist centered programming in Europe where I chose to travel to Berlin, London, and Bath"
How did you come to hear about Creativity Works?
I heard about Creativity Works through my own personal research in organizations working with socially engaged art practices in their programming.
What have you found useful/interesting about spending a day with Creativity Works?
I found Creativity Works' explicit choice to utilize artists to facilitate workshops to be the most interesting part of my visit. I found their work very unique compared to other organizations and institutions I have visited and worked with in the past. The most similar program I could think of is MoMA's Alzheimer's project. I found Philippa's description of choosing social connection and community building as a way to help people versus being prescriptive very impactful. I also really appreciated the creative agency they allowed their participants, particularly in curating their space in the hospital.
What was your experiance of The Fresh Art Project in particular?
My experience was welcoming, warm, and very personable. From start to finish I could tell everyone was very passionate about the work that they do and the community they foster. I was brought to the hospital to see the space where many of the patients stay before entering the Fresh Art Project program. As I said before, I really enjoyed that they allowed the patients to give their input in the curatorial process of it. The collaborative effort shows the care and respect that Creativity Works has for their participants and communities they are serving. After that visit we attended the workshop at the Holburn Museum. The participants were introduced to the artwork they were focusing on in the day and given time to see the works in the gallery. While in the gallery their interactions with the facilitators showed they had trust or were in the beginnings of building that trust. I unfortunately had to leave the workshop a little early so I wasn't able to see the final works, but from the dynamic that the group had I could tell the participants were very comfortable in the space to experiment and create with the guidance of the facilitator. My overall experience of the Fresh Art Project was a very impactful one.
Where else are you visiting?
During my trip I visited the Arnolfini, the Tate Modern, the National Gallery
, the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Whitechapel, and CUT Festival: The Art of Barbering programs. I also visits the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Hamburger Bahnhof, the Jewish Museum, and Black in Berlin programming while in Berlin.
Anything else you'd like to add
Thank you to everyone at Creativity Works for the work that you do and allowing me the opportunity to see your wonderful programs!
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B&NES Creative Wellbeing Courses
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Food: Kitchen Creations Cookery Course
Devise your own recipes by experimenting with fresh, local food. A creative cookery group suitable for those who would like to support their wellbeing, are in recovery from or supporting someone with mental health challenges
When: Starting
Wednesday 26 April for 5 weeks
10am-1pm
Where: Beacon Hall, Peasedown St John
Cost:
This course is provided free of charge and is for B&NES residents.
To book: enquiries@wellbeingcollegebanes.co.uk or call on 01225 831820
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Textiles: Skill Seekers
Boost confidence, experiment, share and learn creative textile techniques in a small supportive group. Skill Seekers is a group that meets weekly to socialise, create and develop projects.
Come and share ideas and develop your skills. No previous experience is necessary. Suitable for B&NES residents who would like to support their wellbeing through creativity.
When: Tuesdays (ongoing group) Arrive 1.30pm for a cuppa. Start 2pm - 4pm
Where: Odd Down Community Centre,
Odins Rd, Bath BA2 2TL
Cost: £2 per session
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We run a highly regarded Training and Development Programme in Socially Engaged Arts for Artists at all stages of their careers and
have an exciting mix of events and training planned for the year with the next being in May!
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Radical Landscapes with International Language Artist
Exploring Sound, Movement, Mark and Language making in the landscape with artist Camilla Nelson.
This workshop introduces a variety of movement, sound, and mark-making techniques as part of a poetic investigation into our relationship with the landscape.
When: Tuesday 16 May, 09.30 - 16.00
Where: Bath
Cost: £50
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Monthly Mental Health Training Talks
One hour lectures followed by an hours discussion with medical colleagues.
Tuesdays 10.30-12.30
Next talk: 25 April
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Upcoming Creativity Works Exhibitions
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Other News, Useful Websites, Articles & Events
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coLab Dance and Virtual Worlds 22 April The Edge, Bath
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Education and Training Award Level 3 - Intensive
Starts 27 April for 3 weeks
The Award has been designed to take a practical approach to understanding the basic elements of successful teaching. If you have no previous teacher or trainer qualifications and want to work in this field, this is the place to start. You do not have to be undertaking any teaching or training to complete this qualification.
For more information please visit: www.bathcollege.ac.uk |
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Nature and Wellbeing Workshop 8th May, Bath Spa Uni
This workshop will focus on the themes of 'Nature', 'Wellbeing', and their connections. The event will involve papers and presentations from Bath Spa University Staff and external speakers, and will be followed by a talk by 14 year old British Bangladeshi birder and campaigner, Mya-Rose Craig (aka Birdgirl) from 16.30-18.00.
Speakers will give presentations on their research, studies, and practical experience, followed by questions. There will also be discussion sessions aimed at deepening understanding of key terminology and ideas, with many opportunities for participants to contribute to discussions.
When: Monday 8 May
Time: 12.45 - 16.15
Where: CM108, Commons, Bath Spa University, BA2 9BN
To book a place please email
s.walton@bathspa.ac.uk. Free parking can be arranged on campus and we will also be able to advise on public transport. The event includes a light lunch and afternoon tea.
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Mental Health Awareness Week (8 - 14 May)
What will you / your group be doing during this week? We'd love to hear from you! Drop us an email on info@creativityworks.org.uk to let us know
Keep an eye out for next months newsletter and on our website/social media for events we'll be running that week.
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Health & Social Care -
Work Skills Course
This free course is for anyone who wants to gain both knowledge and skills necessary to work in the sector. If this is a career path you are considering either now or in the future, this is the course for you. Please note, we are able to fund childcare (must be OFSTED registered) if needed for you to attend the course.
Dates: Mondays 20th, 27th March + 3rd, 24th April + 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd
May+ 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th June
Additional days for specific skill workshops and work experience will be arranged during the course.
Time: 9:30 - 14:30
Venue: City Centre Campus, Bath College, Avon St, Bath BA1 1UP
Tutor: Sadie Woodward
Cost: FREE
If you have any queries or to book a place, please ring Lynsey Parsons,
Adult Community Learning
Tel: 01225 328822
Or Vicki Chapman Tel: 01761 433161 ext 330
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Creative Dementia Arts Network Conference 27 June
Arts, dance, music and dementia: from Professional Practice to Social Prescription
Tuesday 27 June at Sheffield Hallam University, City Campus, Sheffield
This conference offers a unique opportunity to experience the UK's best practice and to explore how we can progress mainstreaming arts for people with dementia through social prescription. Don't miss the opportunity to learn from music and dance therapists, musicians, singers, composers, dancers, visual and digital artists, actors,poets, film makers and more. For more information visit:
www.creativedementia.org
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World Mental Health Day - 10 October
Keep an eye on our newsletter for event listings
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