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Wonderful Workshops

As an artist in residence, Wonders of Nature has been a joy to create.

‐ Jessi, artist in residence

I like doing this as we can socialise with other people in the library.

‐ Child participant

My children are really active with the art, getting involved to make art that they can take home and be in the exhibit.

‐ Parent of participant

My children have taken out a wider range of books by exploring the museum than they would have done just visiting the library.

‐ Parent of participant

The children love being out the house, they've done the Summer Reading Challenge, they've got medals, they've made friends by being here.

‐ Parent of participant

Over the school summer holidays we held weekly workshops led by Jessica Hartshorn. Jessi designed each workshop to use a different artistic skill or technique as participants created art that was added to the story garden painted into the gallery wall.

All of the workshops were free and open to children and their parents/carers. Many families returned week after week, delighted to find such an enjoyable and engaging activity for free. The workshops combined books and the exhibition, drawing inspiration from both parts of the Symington Building to create art, both to take home and to contribute to the community display.

The first book chosen for inspiration was Wild. Children explored the story then created leaves, grass and flowers using painting and stencils.  Next children created giant tissue paper flowers for the exhibition as well as smaller flowers they could take home and keep. Children also had a go at making their own printing block and printed flowers to take home.

Slug Life was a great book choice for exploring insects. Children made mini cardboard insects which they decorated using acrylics. They also contributed to the giant snail and butterfly you can see on the mural. As well as this children had the chance to learn to draw insects in a fun and interactive session, where Jessi shared her skills and experience as an illustrator.

The next book to explore was Hilda and Twig, children made colourful wool and twig wrappings for the display mobile. the next week children used the book, By the Beaver Pool to create mini cardboard animals, as well as a giant beaver to add to the exhibition.

The final book used was Wonder World: Earth. Children used natural tools, such as mud and sticks to draw with and create the ground part of the mural.

The workshops allowed children to spend quality time with their parents and carers, away from the busyness of everyday life and do something mindful and creative together. Jessi utilised her skills and experience to create workshops that allowed children coming back each week to progress and also be accessible to people coming as a one off.