Vivian Ross-Smith reflects on the series of weaving workshops she delivered with residents from Annsbrae.
“The purpose of this series of workshops was to provide the participants with an understanding of weaving, with the aim of continuing the craft in their own time if desired. We enjoyed 6 hour-long sessions at Mareel for the project.”
“For two of the participants, weaving was a new experience. They both took to it very positively, quickly appreciating the therapeutic benefits of the craft. One of the participants, however, had done a lot of weaving in the past, but hadn't had a chance to do any recently. It was lovely to see her getting back into it and she was delighted to have rekindled her passion. She brought in her own personal loom to use in the classes and even loaned a spare one to another participant to try out.”
“Everyone was very keen to learn from each other and share their own craft and artwork, with at least one participant taking along something each week to show the group. During the final session, everyone was asking for more! Each participant has taken their loom home to carry on weaving in their own time, and I am sure they will each continue to produce beautiful work.”
Raman Mundair writes about a series of workshops she delivered at Wastview.
“Thursdays for the past few months have been a delight. I've had the pleasure of working with elders at Wastview on the Westside. We've been getting together and having a cuppa, taking a moment, cradling a warm brew in our hands while we chat. We've been considering our humble hands. Sharing memories of our hands. Both creative and the mundane. The small touches and the epic.”
“During these days together we thought of the things our hands had touched and made. We spent the time being lightsome, making new marks in unfamiliar materials, trying new textures, patterns and colour. Each creation a celebration of the varied journeys our hands have undertaken alone and with others. The finished work, a sort of hand-made round of applause.”
