Art!

On Saturday 8th October, 11am-3pm, Weston-super-Mum and MUSE, which inspires children to learn through music, art and drama, will join forces at Worlebury Glade on Worlebury Hill Road (Weston Woods).

Made possible through the sponsorship of Proper Job, families are invited to use their imagination to craft sculpture from Weston Woods' natural resources.

Some of the pieces made will form part of Weston-super-Mum's Our Children's Art exhibition, which takes place over the October half-term holidays at Weston-super-Mare Museum. This exhibition is a collection of art created by children at Weston-super-Mum and MUSE events at places around Weston, such as Anchor Head, Boomfest, Weston Community Show and Weston Woods and will include paintings, drawings, photos and sculpture.

Weston-super-Mum is asking for sponsorship from local businesses to facilitate the mounting and framing of individual works of art. Printing.com, Click Tat Photography and Bootcamp Somerset are some of the businesses who have already sponsored a painting. Businesses and individuals interested in helping to fund this project should log onto www.westonsupermum.com to find out more.

Springboard Art Exhibition

An exhibition launch evening might not appear to be the ideal place to take an almost five year old. But this was no ordinary view night.

The paintings were vibrant and the drawings thought-provoking. In 'Play Days', the artist(s) had personalised a swirling explosion of colour by sticking blades of grass to the mix. Another, 'Ladybirds are Bugs, Aren't They?' was a pen drawing that looked suspiciously like plagiarism to me - one I'd seen maybe dozens of times when this almost five year old by my side was a little younger.

I gave her the camera and she began the task of creating her own art, documenting the various hangings by a group of pre-schoolers from Springboard Opportunities Group, a local charity that supports children with additional needs. The exhibition, housed at the independent, contemporary Fizz Gallery, which nestles among the delicatessens and boutiques of Clevedon's Hill Road, is a stroke of genius: a fundraiser that illustrates Springboard's dedication to each child's personal development, displayed in a setting where any artist would be proud to show her work.

And the crowds came. It was a well attended launch night, with the only difference from any other being the age of the artists. Not once did I hear, 'My three-year old could have done that.'

When we got home, she grabbed her pens and sheets of A4 paper to unleash at least a dozen drawings, many inspired by the huge rainbow, revealed to us on our journey back to Weston, that had appeared among the dark grey clouds of July. In the morning she went in search of a half forgotten photo album and asked me to help her make a display of her new artwork. I have no doubt that the experience of seeing pieces so similar to her own, hung in such a fine manner at Fizz Gallery, prompted her to be curator of her own drawings in felt-tip pen on 80 gsm.

Every child deserves to have their work recognised in this way. I raise a glass of orange juice to the parents, the staff and, of course, the children of Springboard Opportunity Group - a very big well done, all round!

These photos are a child's eye view of the exhibition:

Links:

Springboard Opportunity Group

Fizz Gallery

- by Becky

Red Ted Art - Time on Your Hands

As an artist and a mum I was really impressed with this book. It uses a simple toilet roll tube to make 14 different funky craft ideas. I've found it especially useful for times when I have an hour to spare in the afternoon and need to think of an activity on the spot! The use of a loo roll means that the activities are really cheap to do so they are good to do with groups of any size. They could be good as the craft activity for kids parties,especially since many of the ideas tie in with seasonal holidays.

Each one of the suggestions could be tailored for any age group. If you have children of different ages they could do the same task and get as much enjoyment from it. None of the ideas take too much preparation either and use a lot of household items that you are likely to have in the cupboard.

The explanations are very easy to understand and the pictures are bright and clear. My son enjoyed looking at the pictures and choosing for himself which ones he wanted to make.

I don't have anything negative to say about this book at all. It produces quick and effective results that your children will love.

Review by Asha Hutchings

Buy Red Ted Art's Time on Your Hands ebook HERE

We tried out Red Ted Art's new ebook, Time on Your Hands, with the children at our Weston-super-Mum monthly Coffee and Bounce at the Purple Sheep, with brilliant results. Everyone had a ball. Here are some of the photos from our Arts and Crafts Corner. Making Owls: