More Lanterns for "A lamp in place of the Sun"

We have just finished our "Wright of Derby" project which we called

"A lamp in place of the Sun" 

Working with children from Firs Estate, St James' and Gayton primary schools. We made lots of globe shaped lanterns and compared the willow framework to the shape of the orrery in the famous Joseph Wright painting 

" A Philosopher giving a lecture on the Orrery in which a lamp is put in place of the Sun"

you can see the painting and read about it here.

We also made some large lanterns which are still on display in the Orangery at the Arboretum Park, as well as taking part in the Derby lantern festival.

A BIG THANK YOU to all the children and  teachers who worked with us we had a great time, also A SPECIAL THANK YOU to all of you who turned up on the day to claim your lantern and take part in the procession we couldn't have done it without you.

We Love Lantern Season!!!

Making lanterns with some talented students at the University of Derby.

Discovery Day at the Silk Mill Museum

Last month we ran a workshop at the Silk Mill Museum as part of their "Discovery Day" Lots of families visited and made whirligigs and giant cotton reel machines.

Diwali Festival at West Park Leisure Centre - "2 x fantastic, 2 x wow"

We had a great time making Diwali Diva Lamps at West Park with the creative people of Long Eaton.
Have a look at the pictures below and read their lovely feedback comments...


"Both my children enjoyed the crafts and the staff were very helpful and friendly" - Heather

"My girls really enjoyed the session" - Jane Abbott


"Lovely session, very calm" - Tracy White


"Best time ever" - Caire Rouse


"Superb! Thanks Emily really enjoyed it" - Julie Boothman


"2 x fantastic, 2 x wow" - Saskia



Erewash Festival of Light

We have just completed batik workshops with 
Sawley Junior School and Draycott Primary School 
for the Diwali Festival of Lights


We created great batik designs to make table coverings and bunting for the celebration on 
Saturday 29 Oct at
West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton


Come along to the procession on Saturday at 6pm.

We Did This

 We have been occupied, frustrated, annoyed and generally tearing our hair out  for the last couple of weeks making this film for a crowdfunding project which will be hosted on this site along with at least 7 other Derby based projects for the month of November. Take a look and see the projects featured at the moment. Our personal favourites are -

THE GUIDE TO MONSTER HOUSEKEEPING and MORPHE WRITERS GROUP. 

Waxing lyrical!!

     We have been doing prep for some batik workshops next week with two schools.

Photos from Feste Family Activity workshop at Quad

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who came and took part from 11am  - 4pm people were queueing outside the door.......we didn't sit down, have lunch, stop for a break or anything. We did however manage to take some photos........

    and this was what it was all about in the evening............no we didn't do the street puppets!

Creative weaving at the Arts and Crafts day

This was a very well attended day with several other activities going on too.

 We cannot show any general photos of how busy we were as they would show vulnerable adults, but here are some close ups. 

                    

Arts and Crafts Day

World Mental Health Week 2011

Arts & Crafts Day

Thursday October 13th from 10am to 3pm

RESOURCE CENTRE DAY HOSPITAL,
London Road, Derby
 
A day of visual arts aimed at showing how creativity can aid recovery  
 

Come and do some creative weaving with Spiral Arts using ribbons, lace and plastic bags!

Lots of other activities too.

Hope to see you there

DERBY FESTE - something fishy

Family Craft Activity - create sea-themed masks and headgear
Quad Participation Space
Saturday 24 Sept 2011
11am til 4pm


Drop in to Quad's Participation Space to 
create sea-themed masks and headgear with Jenny and Maureen 
to join in the Sarruga parade from 8pm.


The activity is free and under 12's must be accompanied by an adult.


Hope to see you there.

Artworks at Wirksworth

We spent a busy 2 days up at the Wirksworth Festival being arty with Wirksworth's young creatives.

Animal Art ~ Monkey Masks, Crazy Crocodiles, Weaving Birds

Puppet Art ~ Pop-up Insect Puppets, Jumping Jack Horses, People Puppets

Musical Art ~ Groovy Guitars, Shiny Shakers, Twirling Drums

Flying Art ~ Whirling Windsocks

Everyone very busy creating

Very attractive monkey masks!

Woven Birds

Insect Pop Ups

Groovy Guitars

Pour the lentils in here Maureen!

Choosing smiley face stickers.

A big thank you to Headteacher Mrs Poyser

for allowing us to the school and for making us feel so welcome.

Exciting news!!

We are so so pleased to announce that we have now got a base here at the Silk Mill museum. Along with several other creatives ( who we have not met yet). We are to be part of an experimental enterprise and for the next few months will have a space for meetings, and workshop prep and who knows what else!!!!

    shall we be in this space.....

    or this space..... we decide, it's an experiment and it's so exciting!!!

Under the Sea at Quad

Spiral Arts delivered an 'Under the Sea' workshop at the Quad Arts and Media Centre in Derby
Woven fish, stretchy fish, mobile fish, spiral jellyfish...very fishy indeed!