Meet Kate, Balby Art Supporter... Hi Kate, can you tell us a little bit about your background as an artist? Hi, well, I studied Ceramics and Fine Art and have been a practising artist for 25 years, focussing on large scale mixed media work. I have been lucky enough to exhibit both locally and nationally. Alongside my work as an Art Supporter for Right Up Our Street I am also currently working with Sheffield University Science Research Institute as artist-in-residence and making new work inspired by bio engineering and regenerative medicine. Some of that work is being exhibited at Magna science museum until October 19! Why did you choose a poppy as the basis for your project? The team here at Balby felt the national theme would be a familiar way to engage in creative activity as it is so recognisable. The poppy motif can lend itself to any remembrance conflict and has the effect of bringing people together along a common theme whilst retaining a very personal feeling. How have the Balby community responded to your work? Everyone we have approached have been very keen to get involved and help make the poppies and it’s been a great way to meet lots of residents and community groups and get creative. The response has been overwhelmingly positive! What’s the best part of facilitating community arts?
new and different. Our aim is to promote community cohesion through a range of events/workshops. Once the installation ends, what’s next for your project in Balby? We will be continuing to connect the community through upcoming creative activities. We hope to get more people involved, working towards the next Balby event! Any ideas on the next theme would be welcome. We will also be running skill share workshops for adults at Balby library in addition to regular family workshops throughout the year. There will be open mic /film nights at the Woodfield Club and creative sessions linked to the Woodfield Park calendar of events. We aim to begin a creative cafe programme for all to enjoy (whilst having a cuppa!) and starting a brand new tattoo project! Watch this space...
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The Balby Field of Poppies installation will be launched at Balby Library on Friday 26th September 2014 and will be in place for two weeks.
Right Up Our Street is led by a consortium of Doncaster arts organisations and supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England until 2016. The events take place across the Doncaster Borough to make art and performance happen in surprising and exciting ways! The Right Up Our Street Art Supporters are at the front line: facilitating and organising arts and performance events across the whole Doncaster borough. You can find local Arts Supporters in Rossington, Balby, East Doncaster and Mexborough If you would like to know more about the Balby Field of Poppies project or about Right Up Our Street contact hello@ rightupourstreet.org.uk or have a look at www.rightupourstreet.org.uk
Discovering the hordes of intensely creative people living in the area! We try to connect everyone together to produce fantastic artwork and events, as well as working with local partners like the Balby Library, Woodfield Club and Woodfield Park to celebrate what they have to offer. Also, it is wonderful to see your work inspiring people to be creative in lots of different ways. I have really enjoyed my time so far in Balby and everyone has been brilliant! I remain very excited about the next chapter. What are the challenges that you face? Getting the word out there about Right Up Our Street’s ethos, the ways to get involved and reaching as many people as we can to have a go and try something Photography ©James Mulkeen, 2014
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