We meet Mondays 12 noon – 2.30pm at St. Anne’s Parish Hall, Hardwick Square West, SK17 6PX .
We finish this term on Monday 12th December, and start again on Monday 9th January 2023.
To enquire about joining, please email alison@highpeakarts.org or call Alison on 01663 744516 0r 0752 815 9283
(See ‘Project eARTh at home’ for distanced projects, and all the projects that were done in lockdown. )
Recent projects:
Buxton Project eARTh finally unveiled their Seed Exchange and Bilberry Bees on Dec 5th – an event postponed due to the Queen’s funeral. We were pleased to invite the Mayor of the High Peak, Cllr Ollie Cross to the event, who unveiled the artworks for us.
Seed Exchange: Participants worked with artist Roisin O ‘Connor to make ceramic flowers, fruit and vegetables to affix to the wooden shelved structure. The seed exchange was a gift for the wonderful Serpentine Community Garden, and the group enjoyed a visit from Melissa during the project to tell us all about it. Just as art is good for our wellbeing, so is gardening, which made an ideal partnership for the project. The Seed Exchange is now housed indoors in the Pavilion Gardens– a wonderful location with plenty of visitors! So when you are next nearby do go take a look – and drop off some seeds, or help yourself to some there. The Serpentine Community Garden group have left plenty there!
Bilberry Bees: As part of the Friends of Buxton Station’s project to raise awareness about bees – and Bilberry Bumble Bees in particular, which are to be found locally – the group also made a colourful collection of ceramic bees to adorn the station garden. This was a delightful addition and connection to the Seed Exchange Project – and we look forward to seeing the bees in their new home!
Cyanotype Cushions:
Buxton Project eARTh unveiled their stunning collection of 10 cushions with cyanotype printed covers on Monday 14th November. The participants wanted to make the cushions as gifts for individual people for World Kindness Day, so they were presented to the Befriending Service at Connex in Buxton, for staff to give to 10 people they befriend, along with individual hand- made cards from the group.
Shadow Puppets
We had fun in the summer ,with shadow puppets with artist Tara Saunders of The Babbling Vagabonds Theatre Company.
Both the morning and afternoon groups created a collective stories and made the puppets and landscapes to go with them – ready for our last week of term when they acted out all of the stories!
Seed Exchange and Bilberry Bees
We worked with artist Roisin O’Connor making ceramic fruit, vegetables and flowers , for a ‘Free Seed Exchange’ . The Seed Exchange structure is for the Serpentine Community Garden, and it is now installed in the Pavilion Gardens . The idea is for people to be able to donate seeds and seedlings they don’t need – and for others to take those they would like to grow.
Alongside this, participants also made ceramic bilberry bees to go in the garden of Buxton Railway Station, for the Friends of Buxton Station.
The ceramics in progress !
Aprons
With artist Deb Rogers, participants designed and made their own aprons to wear for our messy arts activities. They were all very individual , and looked great – as well as being very useful ever since!
Leaf Paper Leaf
With artist Mir Jansen, participants made paper from pulp and leaves, and then illustrated the paper with silhouettes of leaves on a white background. these stylish pieces were framed and given to the Zink Project for their cafe – specially designed to fit in with their decor. We had a celebratory event on February 28th to unveil them – with the High Peak Mayor and Civic Chair of Derbyshire County Council.
Fused Glass
With artist Deb Rogers, we created two fused glass clocks – which we started before the first lockdown in March 202, and put on hold till Autumn 2021. The morning group had a blue design with lots of cogs; the afternoon group a design based on trees throughout the seasons.
Nurture Nature
This project was led by artist Amanda Whewell. It was collage and printing based, inspired by the work of British artist Mark Hearld.
The 30 beautiful completed framed collages are now in their new home, on the walls of St. Anne’s Parish Hall, and really brighten up the room.
Here are just a few. More photos to follow:
Videos to accompany the workshops to be found here:
Nurture Nature Week 1 ( from April 26th)
In the first week of Project eARTh’s ‘Nurture Nature’ project we made a 3D bird card to post to someone. It’s always nice to receive a card in the post, especially a hand made one. We have been inspired by cards designed by Mark Hearld – you may have seen them in the shops. As well as being a card they make a great decoration for any time of year. You can make your card realistic or decorative. We worked with a simple wax resist technique.
Nurture Nature week 2 (from May 10th)
In this second week, inspired by a walk outside, memories of nature, or images from magazines, tv etc, we experiment with some different ways of making collage.
Nurture Nature week 3 (from May 17th)
In week three, our technique is printmaking. We made a stamp for block printing and cut some stencils and look at different ways of using them. You can also experiment with printing natural materials.
Nurture Nature week 4 (from May 24th)
In week four, we used the techniques learnt over the last three weeks to make a collaborative collage garland.
Nurture Nature weeks 5-7 (from June 7th)
Over the next three weeks we worked on a mixed media collage inspired by local nature. Participants used any or all of the techniques we experimented with in weeks 1-4, looking back through worksheets at all the examples of Mark Hearld’s collages and prints from the last few weeks. Week 5 is design week so we thought about what we discovered that has inspired us. Participants used photos, sketches or notes to help with designs; or research from a book or online to inspire designs, or drew from memory or imagination. Week 6 and 7 – we created our collages.
The Felted Fall of Leaves
Participants worked with artist Carol Wilson to make individual felted squares on an Autumn theme – to include wet felting and then embellishing the work with embroidery. To start the project, everyone made a small square inspired by the traditional felting of Kyrgystan.
Participants then designed their Autumn themed piece, felted them, and embroidered into them.
We framed the pieces in 9 groups of four, now given to and displayed at The Vineyard in Glossop.
Progress: a few of the pieces…
Recent projects:
Photography
We worked with photographer Josh Tomalin, learning lots about taking photos with our phones. We were busy with portraits, street photography and abstract images . We had an amazing exhibition on Monday 3rd February 1.30pm at the URC church.
We also produced a book of the photographs, ‘My Vision’.
Birds of a Feather
We worked with artist Karen Herrick on a mixed media project called ‘Birds of a Feather’, to make a series of 17 framed pictures for Thomas Fields in Buxton. We really enjoyed the wide variety of techniques learnt, and the finished results were amazing! They really liven up the corridors at DCC Thomas Fields Residential Centre, and the staff and residents are most appreciative.
Here are a few photos from the unveiling event, and some of the finished pieces before framing – and below that a slide show of work in progress during the project …
Recent projects:
Imprinting the Wild
We did a collograph and printing project with Emma and Duncan Pass to make an amazing 2020 calendar, inspired by nature.
Its only £5 and available now! See below for pics from the project and of the exhibition we held as part of ‘The Perspective of Ability’ in New Mills Festival on Sept 27th, 28th and 29th. We will have or own exhibition on Monday 11th November at the URC church, Hardwick Square East, Buxton Sk17 6PT, 1.30pm – 3pm.
Click here to preview the 2020 calendar!
40th Anniversary Mugs and Plates
For our Anniversary Tea Parties, we are making a set of ceramic mugs and plates each one commemorating a different project from High Peak Community Arts’ past 40 years. Working with artist Caroline Chouler- Tisser, we have had a lovely time exploring old photos to use as decal transfers.
Rainforest Themed Felt Wall hangings
The participants worked with artist Carol Wilson on a felting project to create a Rainforest themed wall hanging for Fairfield Sure Start Centre /Surgery.
the resulting panels look stunning – really bright and colourful , and the Children’s Centre were delighted with them – as were we!
Whaley Bridge Station Etched Glass
Participants worked with artist Andy Comley on glass etching to install at Whaley Bridge station. The work has been completed, and was unveiled by the Mayor of the High Peak, Cllr Ed Kelly and the Deputy Chair of Derbyshire County Council. Cllr Juduth Twigg on Sept 13th .
Ceramic Tiles
Participants worked with artist Caroline Chouler -Tissier on a short project to create ceramic tiles – for once, making them for themselves to take home.
Bird Life Textiles:
The group worked with artist Amanda Whewell to make beautiful new curtains for the Buxton URC church . With the theme, ‘Bird Life’, they are hand printing, using applique, and embroidery.
These were unveiled on June 18th by The Mayor of the High peak, Cllr Linda Grooby.
Poetry Anthology:
The group, together with the New Mills group have now launched their poetry anthology, ‘Carved from the Earth’, after a series of workshops with poet John Lindley . The book is available at £3 from High peak Community Arts and from High St Books and Records in New Mills.
Ceramic sculpture:
We worked with artist Elaine Lim Newton to make ceramic sculptures for the garden of Haddon Hall Care Home. They will be unveiled on Monday 21st May at 10.30am
These were created by making large 3D shapes in a mould, which were then decorated by being drawn into, having relief designs added and being glazed. These shapes will then be threaded over steel poles to make a ‘totem’ style sculptures.
Canal Boat Art:
Participants worked with artist Debra Tracey to learn the skills of Canal Boat Art, and then paint coasters, planters and small items to take home.
‘Landmarks’:
With musician Aidan Jolly, we are created an animated poem with music, inspired by the landscape..
Watch this space for the animated film…
Hidden Worlds:
We worked with artist Lesley Ann Withers with silk painting , exploring organic forms as though seen through a microscope to create ‘circular’ silk paintings. Together with tie dye pieces, these will create wall hangings for the URC church in Buxton.
Fused Glass:
We worked with artist Alex Blakey to create a triptych of one metre by half metre glass fused panels for Corbar View. these featured the four seasons for the meeting room, and a sunny seaside for Dr. Walker’s consulting room.
Ceramic and felted Bird Boxes
We made ceramic bird boxes with artist Caroline Chouler -Tisser , and felted bird pods with artist Carol Wilson, which formed an exhibition on sat 5th November and will now be distributed across the High Peak.
Here are some of the completed bird boxes and birds…
Some of the felted pods…more pics to follow..
And the felted and ceramic birds….
Work during the project…
Mosaics for The Cavendish Hospital
We have made a large scale mosaic for the Fenton Ward Dining Room / Lounge at The Cavendish Hospital, Buxton, working with artist Debra Tracey. The design includes a river, with both local landmarks and birds / animals on the banks.
Getting design ideas…
Willow Sculptures
We have made willow sculptures for Whitestones Residential Home in Chapel en le Frith, working with artist Carole Beavis. As the residents love animals, we are have made a life size donkey, 3 sheep and 2 chickens from willow for their garden
Needlefelting
On November 30th, we are having a one off Needlefelting workshop with artist Carol Wilson.
Lanterns for Buxton’s Light Switch On:
We made a series of ‘lanterns’ to install along the route of Buxton’s Light Switch ON in the Pavilion Gardens on Friday November 20th – including a large horse and bird as well as smaller people, birds, flowers and more…Despite wind, rain, and hail, many people turned out and we all had a fun evening!
‘Take Notice’
We did a six week collage project with artist Sandra Orme, focusing on the theme of ‘Take Notice’ from the Five Ways to Wellbeing, using a variety of art forms.
Wood Carving
We carved human – sized wooden sculptures with artist Sarah Fiander, weaving stories around them with the assistance of Gordon Maclellan, aka ‘’Creeping Toad’. The sculptures are sited in the picnic area of Grinlow Wood and Poole’s Cavern (Buxton Country Park).
The workshops were in Education Room at Poole’s Cavern.
Our own group, and Yr 5 of Burbage Primary School also created stories and poems about the sculptures, to be found in a special booklet.
Printing
We had two workshops with artist Sandra Orme, experimenting with block printing and mono printing. With a theme of flowers, each person created a ‘square’ of 4 different colour prints of the same image, with Andy Warhol look….and they look very bright and colourful.
Illuminated Paper Globe Project
We worked with artist Caro Inglis to make a 29″ diameter hand made paper globe for Blythe House. The group have had a great time experimenting in making handmade paper….which was unveiled at Blythe House Hospice, Eccles Fold, Chapel en le Frith, on Friday May 16th . .
There is also a hand made paper installation, ‘Cascade’, in New Mills Library.
A few pictures from previous projects..click on the photo to see a slide show…
Glass Fusion
We worked with artist Debra Tracey on glass fusion to create a beautiful window hanging for Charis House. Click on the photos to see a slide show….
Animated film
Before that, the group made their own film, (using stop frame animation) with artist Sophie Mackreth. The final film is now available on DVD and to view below:
The project before that was What’s in a Box? with Katy McCall.
