Community arts project success marked at libraries
LOCAL ARTISTS WORKED WITH VISITORS TO PRODUCE THEIR OWN PIECES OF WORK
AN EXCITING arts project is being celebrated across the county and people are invited to four local libraries to take part in a series of events.
The Crafting Communities project has helped bring communities together, tackle loneliness and make new connections between libraries and their communities.
The activities were delivered by Staffordshire County Council’s Libraries and Arts service with funding from Arts Council England. Sessions were led by local artists and ran at Perton, Barton under Needwood, Rugeley and Blythe Bridge libraries during the autumn.
At Barton library, ceramic artist Joanna Dawidowska has worked with local crafters, library visitors, family groups, library and community volunteers and the wider community through pop-up events to form a hub of experimental activity where people of all levels of experience and ability had the opportunity to take part, develop creative skills and try new techniques.
The hub has gone on to produce a wonderful array of clay work inspired by themes of kindness and giving; giving time to others and sharing uplifting messages and positive affirmations.
A spokesman for the events said: “We are delighted to invite local residents to join us in celebrating the project and to see exciting new work revealed. A sharing event will be held at Barton library at 11am on Saturday, December 11.”
To maintain social distancing and help keep a free flow of visitors, this will be an informal occasion where people are welcome to pop in at any time during the event and enjoy some festive treats.
Victoria Wilson, cabinet member responsible for libraries at Staffordshire County Council, said: “This has been a fantastic project which has given people the opportunity to get together and explore how they can help others through crafting, all in a safe, sociable and open space.
“Residents have produced some wonderful rich and varied work while forming new friendships and re-establishing craft groups. We have also seen new visitors to our libraries as well as new social groups formed, which is all brilliant news.”
“We are really looking forward to sharing the wonderful outcomes of the Crafting Communities project and hope that people can pop in and take a look at what local people have created.”
Phil Duckworth and Ben Sadler, of Juneau Projects, led the workshops at Perton library, textile and paper artist, Jennifer Collier was in residence at Blythe Bridge library, while artist and illustrator Ruth Allen led activities at Rugeley library.
People can find out more about the project at www.staffslibrariesculture. wordpress.com/crafting-communities