Explore & Draw
Explore & Draw is an inspired project that offers children, aged 7 to 13, a chance to work with experienced artists.
The project can be adapted to schools or community art sessions.
In 2016, I managed and ran the initial Explore & Draw project, with the help of local artist, Alison Cockcroft.
The project, which took place over six weeks in the summer of 2016, was funded by Arts Council England, The Museum In The Park and The Stroud Festival Fund.
Each session offered a different way of working with drawing.
The children spent time outdoors in each session. The ancient trees in the surrounding parkland were an intrinsic part of the project; the children experienced the trees and got to know them.
Our approach was fairly open-ended so that the children could explore their own ideas and threads within the modalities and structures that were given to them.
The sessions, which were free, were deemed a great success and were well attended.
Some of the experiences the children had were:
Drawing and mark making with clay and huge pieces of charcoal.
Experiencing printmaking through games invented to loosen up and introduce the concept of printing in a playful, collaborative way. This then lead into more traditional mono printing.
Working together on the floor with large sheets of paper and collaborating both in drawing techniques and imaginative play.
Experiencing drawing as a three dimensional experience by using the drawing paper to join, fold and build sculptures.
Relaxing and taking time out whenever needed.
At the beginning of the sessions, warm up relaxing exercises and games designed to let go of stress and introduce an atmosphere of playful investigation.
