ART CAMP IN YORK ART CAMP IN YORK
‘READING IS LIT!’ HOW READING TINTIN INSPIRED NEW ART FOR A NEW YEAR ‘READINGISLIT!’ HOWREADING TINTININSPIRED NEWARTFORA NEWYEAR
ACOMB EXPLORE: ON THE DOORSTEP, AND BETTER THAN EVER
From the Director From the Director
Via the newly released HAF portal as well as tried and tested recommendations, Art Camp celebrated 2023’s Christmas with, as ever, bright colours, healthy eating, and physical activities, but this time we hardwired a component hitherto untouched: reading. Working with a daily cohort of 35 young artists a day and in collaboration with Acomb Explore Library, as well as visits to Acomb Front Streets charity bookshops, we chose a selection of books (many of them Tintin and The Beano novels) read them in between drawing and painting the characters, and even invented our own characters. Characters included Bob the Nut who runs his own allotment by day and is a masked hero by night, Scott who manages to get eggs incorporated into every menu he designs, and Cycic who spends his time playing in local parks, eating fresh fruit, and making new friends. These aren’t as goody-goody as they sound: the adventures were by any standards well drawn, witty, and anarchic, and we even projected the comic strips as animations in Dalton Terrace Hall and Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre. The latter happening was in collaboration with UNESCO’s Cities of Media Arts (Tbilisi, Cali, Viborg), and at last elevated our HAF funded activities to an international level.
We love what we do. We hope we have made the City of York Council’s HAF Programme proud. We look forward to building on the success we so energetically harnessed in the darkest week of the year. Onwards!
Greg McGee Greg McGee
DIRECTOR, NEW VISUALITY
Art Camp celebrated 2023 ’ s Christmas with, as ever, bright colours, healthy eating, and physical activities, but this time we hardwired a component hitherto untouched: reading.
BUTFIRST, FOOD BUTFIRST,FOOD
We were provided with nutritional information and food by Acomb’s Bluebird Bakery Cafe. Ham, Cheese, Vegetarian alternatives, water, fruit, something sweet: it all made its way into the young people’s creativity.
“ FEELINGHAM-AZING.”
“MERRY CR I SPM A S . ” “ IAMBERRY-ARTISTIC.”
HE FOOD HEFOOD CREW CREW
BY MARGARITA PEREZ
PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCOIS MERCER
“I helped in the kitchen every day. My favourite bit was drawing Tintin in the kitchen making everyone sandwiches so he could eat healthy before he went off on adventures.” Noah, Art Camper
ART ADVOCATES
AAyoung person can be an assistant quite easily, but to be an ‘advocate’ you have to be ready to not only grab the baton but then run with it
Art Camp is only as strong as its advocates. Here are a few:
“Good to be back, I’m looking forward to the next one. I like to help the kids become better artists.” Niall, aged 15
“Niall was really funny It didn’t feel like school at all, all the assistants are like friends for us.” Ahmed, 9
“I knew I wanted to come back so when I got the call I was really excited It’s very hard work, but I love it It gives me the chance to share what skills I was lucky enough to learn when I was younger. My favourite part was teaching young people how to use the big camera ” Hope, aged 16
“Hope is fantastic, she helped us so much. She’s a really good photographer and I think I am now too ” George, aged 11
WE WERE JOINED FOR THE FIRST TIME BY SHANAYA
SHANAYA’S ADVOCACY SHANAYA’SADVOCACY
‘TS A Y CREATIVE, STAYCONFID E TN’ TS‘ A YCREATIVE,STAYCONFID E ’TN
“This was my first time helping out at Art Camp. It’s hard work but so fulfilling and it’s kind of make me think about a career in the artworld!” Shanaya, aged 16 “We love Shanaya. If she’s here in the next Art Camp we’ll definitely be back! Thanks Shanaya” Aria, aged 9
VISITING BAR CONVENT
“We can sit and watch the art of people we will never meet via light on innovative screens in heritage sites.” “Wecansit andwatch theartof peoplewe willnever meetvia lighton innovative screensin heritage sites.”
Art Camp visited Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre. We’re always made welcome here, and whether it’s because of the fusion of history, innovation, or the warm welcome from the nuns, our young artists always respond energetically. The overriding theme in the exhibition space is the luminous continuum of learning and what it is that creativity allows us to express, whether that’s hope for a greener, healthier world, yearning for what we have left behind, or the simple aspiration for a future where basic rights such as dignity and access don’t have to be fought for.
In the past, historical figures such as Bar Convent’s own Mary Ward influenced how learning took place: how it could be accessed, enjoyed, and imparted Now, in the glittering digital age, learning in the present is perhaps easier than it could have been. We can sit and watch the art of people we will never meet via light on innovative screens in heritage sites.
There is still work to be done. Mary Ward said “Do good, and do it well:” we’re sure she would have found hope in how well behaved, how confident, and how creative our young artists are.
Bar Convent Living Heritage’s interactive innovation is hugely successful for our young artists
HERITAGE BAR CONVENT
THANK
VIACREATIVITY VIACREATIVITY
...WE HARNESS THE HAF OBJECTIVES
ROCKING THE HAF OBJECTIVES
Harnessing the aims of City of York Council Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme.
EAT MORE HEALTHILY OVER THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
“It was funny when the helpers pretended in Drama to be working in Fast Food and talking about the unhealthy ingredients.” Isla, aged 8
“I’ve had loads of nice treats this Christmas but afterwards I’m going to go on a diet! My favourite fruit is a satsuma, and I like drawing it too.” Erdogan, aged 10
“I love helping out in the kitchen, every day I handed out water, juice, and fruit ” Grace, aged 11
“Greg set up a still life of fruit and vegetables, and we all drew it. It was pretty easy actually.” Alfie, aged 9
“Tintin and Asterix like to eat fruit, that’s why they’re so fit ” Jack, aged 7
BE MORE ENGAGED WITH SCHOOL AND SERVICES
“I’ve known Greg for years, I normally book straight through him, but the booking system is easier and it lets you leave all the information you need, it’s all safe and secure and easy to use.” Sam, Mother of 2
“We get Free School Meals which is a lifesaver. This was a lifesaver too I received the email and by the time the kids came hom I had booked their places It was no hassle.” Suzie, Mother of 2
“The first thing Ethan and Alfie did was to get hold of Tintin books from the School Library! It was a good idea to use books to get them more interested in learning how to draw.” Lauren, Aunt to 3 Art Campers
HAF OBJECTIVES
BE SAFE AND NOT SOCIALLY ISOLATED
“Libby doesn’t find socialising easy, this was a Godsend. Everyone was arty anyway so she didn’t have to try, she just got talking to people, and they all got stuck in She came home with a big smile on her face every time.” Kerry, Mum of Art Camper
“I have a confession to make I live 2 minutes away from Acomb Library and I’ve never been and never taken the kids there. When Greg and the assistants asked my little one if he wanted to go, he said yes straight away. I know he loved it because he brought a book home, something he has never done before, and he wants to go back! It’s a safe and warm place and it is so convenient ” Fiona, Mum of Art Camper
“My two love coming, they especially liked talking to the older lads who worked there, they want to become Art Assistants when they’re a bit older! We will 100% be back. They’ve been drawing at home all week which has never happened before.” Alex, Father of Art Campers
HAVE A GREATER KNOWLEDGE OF HEALTH AND NUTRITION
“I enjoyed meeting the young people from Westfield ward to talk them through our ‘Mind, Meal, Movement’ campaign, which has become a viral smash in our school We look at the moment we know we’re hungry and then making an informed decision - you don’t have to eat trash, you can find healthy alternatives easier and easier nowadays. We talked about our allotment and we designed a series of posters promoting healthy eating and physical exercise ” Mr Harrison, OLQM Teacher, who has worked with our young people outside of school hours
“
ROCKING THE HAF OBJECTIVES Harnessing the aims of City of York Council Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme.
“We’re not going to stop eating treats on a Friday night, but it was a pleasant surprise to hear them talk about fruit and drinking water after the sessions rather than just wanting crisp and juice, so something’s gone in and stayed there!” Courtney, Art Camp Mum
“I had no idea what a Kumquat was until Arthur came home and started drawing ‘Kenny Kumquat’, a character he had invented at Art Camp! It was really good to see him draw and really nice to talk to him about what he learned with the older boys.” Denise, Art Camp Mum
SIGNPOSTING TOWARDS OTHER INFORMATION AND SUPPORT
“The Micklegate Councillors invited me to talk about how we mixed art and knowledge about food. It was pretty terrifying but I’m glad I did it I helped publicise the sessions and where to find warm food and healthy food by helping with a display at school ”
Shanaya, Art Camp Advocate, aged 16
“Greg brought a pile of leaflets from Acomb Methodist Church advertising ‘Free Hot Takeaway Meals' every Thursday I don’t go to churches, so this was amazing All we have to do is text the number to receive a menu and to order a meal in time for Thursday evening pick up. Yes, we have done it, and will continue to do so.” Susan, parent of 3 Art Campers who receive FSM
“It was really nice to see new families coming to Acomb explore on the back of Greg’s art activities ” Acomb Explore
CREATIVITY
NEW VISUALITY ART CAMP 2024
FUNDED BY CITY OF YORK COUNCIL’S HAF PROGRAMME
What a cracking way to spend Christmas We continue to be grateful to the HAF programme for allowing us to develop Art Camp as a citywide offer to families who would otherwise not access creativity in this way
Thank you.
Greg & Ails McGee, Directors, New Visuality, Registered Charity