Artsmill Exhibition - Inter-Arts Festival of Childhood
Wednesday, 31 July 2019
The David Wright Gallery
Artsmill, Linden Road, Hebden Bridge
4 August - 18 August 2019
Open Weds-Sun 11-4
During the 2 weeks of the Inter-Arts Festival of Childhood there will be an Art and Word Exhibition, Workshops, Talks, Art Installations, Films and Performances.
Following on from the well received Inter-Arts Festival 'Art Through Trauma' last August and the Inter-Arts Festival to raise awareness over Mental Health week in May here at Artsmill, Inter-Arts group of Artists and invited guests are providing this opportunity for you to let your inner child free in the space and engage with the work you see. There are lots of opportunities to get involved from the workshops to the open mic.
The selection of artists, writers and performers showing there work, including Skye Shadowlight, Elaine Hook, Fiona Love, Sosh, Bethany Weaves, Priscilla Edwards, Ginny Koppenhol, Keiron Higgins, Victoria Shone, Isaac Hughes-Dennis, Negapositiv, Alice Measom, Socs Blakely, Microphone Jack, Jan Langdale, Eileen Wright, Winston Plowes, Dawn Bland, Wonky Puss, Iris and Colin Skipworth plus many more...
The first performance and talk is from artist, Skye Shadowlight on Friday 9th August at 8pm entitled “Shade School” Installation, Video, Performance.
Shade School is a large scale art installation that I built from found objects in 2015. It began as one desk but as the story kept unfolding more objects were added. Now, s an entire Victorian Classroom worth of work, with each piece telling a unique and individual story.
Skye Shadowlight says, "In 2013 my child, who has autism explains that her teacher has been putting her under the desk as a punishment. He said that she liked it there because it was not too bright, and because she doesn’t like noise. Like a dog, the only child in the class sitting under the teacher’s desk for being naughty. My child often misunderstands things by taking them too literally.
"The teacher everyday would call the girls, boys and the boys, girls as a joke. All of the children laugh at his silly mistake. My child felt he was misunderstanding her as everyday she explained that she was not a boy. This just added to her distress. She would cry and they would laugh at her inability to be flexible. He continued and so did the 'bad behaviour'.
"These are just some of the disgusting way that mainstream school were getting it wrong for my child and what drove me to create this emotive work. The school were screaming for inclusion at every turn, yet not training the staff to understand my child’s needs. A too common story. A archaic school setting for modern day disabled child. I invite you to attend Shade School Art Installation including video and performance."
Children can attend the workshops under supervision of an adult
Workshops on Saturday 10th August start at 10 am.
Priscilla Edwards is a well known mixed media artist and works with textile, wire and found objects. Join her on this workshop at The Art School at Artsmill over the ‘Inter-Arts Festival of Childhood and create your own Fairytale Creature at her Curious Creatures Workshop, 10am - 4pm
During the workshop you will explore the possibilities of making objects that are assembled using ephemera, fabrics, wire, found oddments anything that you wish to work with, that has meaning and childhood memories for you. Priscilla uses these themes in her own work and will take you on a journey to create yours. Materials and equipment will be provided but you should bring with you a small collection of your own precious fabrics, ephemera, papers, broken china or toys.
To book your place contact Priscilla on 07816 886522 or email her It is £65 for the day.
For our second workshop, we have 'Stop Motion Animation' Workshop with Ginny Koppenhol at The Art School, Artsmill from 5pm - 8pm Many of us grew up watching Morph or Bagpuss and marvelling at the figures coming to life on our screens. Come along to Ginny's workshop and learn stop motion animation in this playful and practical session! From character creation to basic editing, you will make your own short film. Stop motion is easy to learn but the possibilities are endless. No experience necessary and all equipment is provided. £20 entry. Please email Ginny to book your place.
Meet Performance Artist, 'Sosh' as he gets up to mischief, interacting with the space and other artists' work. See Sosh at 11am, 1pm and 3pm at Wednesday 14th - 18th of August.
Special Guests and Open Mic Night = Saturday 17th August. Doors open at 7.30pm Fiona Love and Isaac Hughes-Dennis will be hosting an amazing evening of Spoken Word and Performance with Special Guests throughout the night and open mic towards the end. Bring along your inner child and feel free to get up and perform if you feel the urge. Email Fiona to put your name on the open mic.
Inter-Arts Talk on Sunday 18th August at 2pm at The David Wright Gallery with Fiona. Find out more about the Inter-Art classes for creatives at The Art School every first Wednesday of the month at 7pm - 9pm.
The exhibition is running from 4-18 August.