Art at the Treehouse, Elephant Park, 2023-24
Posted: 19th January 2024We began our year-long programme at the Treehouse in May 2023, as part of our community-based creativity project in Southwark. Our aim was to create an enjoyable weekly activity that local residents can feel comfortable to attend long-term, creating familiarity and routine. However we also wanted people to be able to explore and enjoy a range of arts practices, and so we have structured the year into 10-week terms that focus on one arts practice. There have been three terms so far: nature-based art; print-making; and illustration and journaling. The fourth term started in January 2024, exploring clay/ceramics. You can read more about each of completed terms below.
Term 1: Nature-based art and creativity
This first programme drew on nature as a theme, using the surrounding park to inspire the activities each week. These included painting, collage, drawing, indigo dye-ing and printmaking. The programme was delivered by professional artist and facilitator Seiwa Cunningham.
Term 2: Print-making
Our second term of our year-long programme in Southwark featured two print artists, each working across five weeks to deliver challenging and varied print activities. Melissa began with activities including screen printing, foam printing, Cyanotype printing, and Gyotaku (a traditional Japanese printing method). Georgia then led participants through stamp making and printing, Gelli Plate printing, and lino etching/printing. The prints created in this programme, of remarkable quality, were featured in an exhibition as part of the Urban Elephant Festival 2023. The exhibition provided a platform for our incredible participants and raised awareness amongst the local community, inspiring people with what can be achieved post-diagnosis.
“These sessions have been very good for her. I don’t know how much you can be aware that she has really come out of herself, and has the confidence to initiate and maintain conversations, which she never used to do. Thank you so much (I really mean that)!” Carer participant
Term 3: Illustration and journaling
Led by Alicia these sessions explored ways of noticing the everyday moments around us and capturing them within a journal using various drawing techniques.
