These moments of reflection capture their own going learning experience, the results implementing expertise gathered from trial and error. It`s great they can share their experience and give us insight into how they are working with the kids.
Craft in the Classroom
Three artists have also been working on Craft in the Classroom projects. Read more about how they are integrating their skills in the classroom in their recent blogs posts.
Extract from Ester Kiely’s Blog for Craft in the Classroom: Learning to use a sewing machine
‘An old hand-crank Singer sewing machine allows the children to make seams and hems, add a drawstring and make a simple bag to hold their `treasures`. The idea of a bag, changes to a 3d container to hold some precious items. Each container holds items personally selected by the pupil and holds meaning for them. The containers will be brought together into an art installation for the classroom. Capturing the essence of these pupils, at this time.’
Extracts from Nicola Browne’s Blog for Craft in the Classroom: Fast and fun taster session!
‘Dubbed a ‘taster’ session, the idea was that I would get to meet the students, they would get to meet me and see some of my work and together we would get stuck in and everyone would get the opportunity to make a piece of flat felt for themselves. My game plan went out the window to a large degree when I realised how enthusiastic and raring to go all the students were, theory was kept to a minimum for this first session and really we just got stuck into things almost from the moment we had the room set up.’
Arts in Health
Four artists have been working on Helium`s new Puppet Portals Project in four hospitals around Ireland. The health setting is proving to be a challenging but inspiring place.
Extract from Helene Hugel`s Blog for Puppet Portals Project / Hospital A: Day 3 - Text - Arial Views
Unfortunately, we missed our opportunity to film as the little girl launched into her story, which I thought was a rehearsal, but ended up being the real thing.....This stands as a reminder that when working with pre-schoolers, every second counts! And to not wait until the next chance to film/record/take a photo as the opportunity could be lost. It is very much a lesson to being in the `now`.
Extracts from Emma Fisher`s Blog for Puppet Portals Project / Hospital B: Day 1 on the 22/04/09
`I found at the beginning it was hard to get them to create a story but they where very definite about their characters and the fabrics they used. Later during play however a story was formed. So this week I have decided while they are making to let them just talk about what ever they like and to not push them to make a story and let it naturally progress as it did in the end last week.`
Extract from Siobhan Clancy`s Blog from Puppet Portals Project / Hospital C: Puppet Portal-Hospital C-Day 1
`Three teenage boys participated in a sketch of Christopher Columbus interviewing `Sea Monsters`. I didn`t touch on the issues I hoped to though - how fears are defeated with experience. At least not in the way I expected. But performing in front of peers made an impact on them, I feel. And they really laughed at their own jokes when viewing back the videoed material.`
Extract from Anna Rosenfelder`s Blog for Puppet Portals Project / Hospital D: Puppet Portal-Hospital D-DAY 1
I had lovely comments by a boy who had been very quiet and quite low-energized (as many of the kids are due to their condition of health), but who had been smiling about little discoveries throughout the workshop;
"Have you learned any new skills?"
"Yes, I learned how to work with people I didn`t know before. I thought the puppetry was quite fun, making little puppets out of paper and sticks. Who would know small things can make you so happy."
Sewing Machine image from Cesarastudillo via Flickr Creative Commons
