So, being a community artist....what does it involve?
I’ve been running art workshops in communities and schools for 11 years now.
My job as an artist consists of many roles. I currently work 2 days a week at the dusty forge for ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely) where I run art workshops for the local community of Ely.
I also run art workshops on a freelance basis in schools and communities when there’s a need. During 2020 up until now I’ve been making online art videos and instruction sheets and kits instead of in person workshops. It’s been a big pivot as a freelance artist but it’s pushed me into interacting in a different way. I’ve learnt how to edit videos and use procreate to make templates for stay att home art kits through various art organisations.
Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to work on a variety of projects.
-I’ve used my printmaking skills that I gained from my fine art degree in 2008 to provide printmaking workshops to adults and children.
-I’ve worked at festivals such as festival no.6 and green man running workshops and providing carnival parades and activities for families.
-I‘ve been involved in various carnival and lantern projects through SWICA involving the community to make individual costumes, large back pack designs, head dresses and structures.
-Murals: I’ve painted many murals that have had community involvement and some that have been painted as a commission.
-organisations that I’ve worked with ACE (Action in Caerau and Ely), AWEN, Romani cultural and arts company, Vision 21, Thrive, Arts active, CAER studio and Vale young careers, to name a few.
Alongside these workshops I have an online shop called in rainbows. I design, make and pack all of the orders plus promote my work across social media. I currently sell a lot children’s homeware but since the Summer last year I’ve been moving away from children's products to make other colourful homeware and stationery designed on procreate so that my products are less labour intensive. My love of colour, plants, homeware and my personality shines through with these products.
If you’d like to see more of my community arts work take a look here.
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