OOPS WOW
OOPS WOW
Messy Art, Important Fun. Everyone Needs to Play
I make playful and creative things happen. Events and workshops for all ages, from young children to families, grown-ups, passers-by, everyone.
I believe that drawing, making art and playing together are very important and a wonderful way to connect and spend time together. It is one of the fundamental things about being a human. So many people feel like they cannot draw or that they are not creative. The arts are being squeezed out of education at all levels. Creative thinking is what we need to cope with the world and the future. Let’s keep art, let’s keep making art, together!
“Creativity is for the gifted few: the rest of us are compelled to live in environments constructed by the gifted few, listen to the gifted few’s music, use the gifted few’s inventions and art, and read the poems, fantasies and plays by the gifted few.
This is what our education and culture conditions us to believe, and this is a culturally induced and perpectuated lie.”
(Simon Nicholson How NOT to Cheat Children. The Theory of Loose Parts)
This quote is from the 1970’s and yet seems totally relevant to today.
I am quite particular about our approach to art making – it is play, it is exploring and experimenting, learning and discovering. This is why I base my approach on the working style of a 3 year old.
As Einstein said - play is the best form of research.
My workshops and events are open ended, and process based, there is often no fixed outcome expected even if I am offering instruction in a new technique or offering particular materials.
I like to offer accessible, everyday materials; I love a cardboard box. I want people to feel inspired and confident to be able to carry on playing at home and with their friends.
I have been running these events and workshops since 2015. I have worked in art galleries, village halls, schools, on the beach, in the woods, at festivals, at birthday parties, in town squares, and on zoom.
I work with lots of different organisations including The National Trust (North & West Dorset), Bridport Arts Centre, Dorset National Landscape, Bridport Youth Clubs, Bridport Youth Dance, West Bay Discovery Centre, Bridport Community Shed, Artz+, Artsreach, Allington Hillbillies, Jurassic Multicultural, Finger Print Dance, ASCape, Bridport Town Council, Discover Dorchester, Thriving Wild, local schools, preschools and special schools.
If you are interested in working with me, please get in touch jo@burlington.me.uk
