Workshops from Unknown Pleasures Festival, Macclesfield 2010
I have an ongoing obsession with pattern.
In the summer I was lucky enough to turn that obsession into a small project by co-ordinating some workshops for people in Macclesfield.  

(You can read more about that by looking at Macclesfield Silk Museum Heritage Trust here)

In the morning, members of the public were taken on a tour of the town, looking at pattern in architecture.
Armed with cameras and a professional photographer guide, we encouraged them to seek out the details that usually pass them by.

In the afternoon, I brought in artists / designers / printers from one69a to help them turn their photos into screen prints and transfer them onto bags and t-shirts.

one69a have just launched their new website and included the workshops as one of their case studies so take a fuller look over there...

And by the way - if you like architectural pattern, do take a look at the project with Rosie James at Ordsall Hall in Salford
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I'm endlessly fascinated by the way any object, let alone a museum collection, can become some personal to people and interpreted so subjectively. We bring to things that which we already know. It's only possible to see and understand the object the way you alone can see and understand it.

With that in mind I was fascinated to watch this short film of how some students of Manchester Metropolitan University worked with a collection of random domestic objects from Victorian times. These were items from the Mary Greg Collection at Manchester Art Gallery.

I also recommend you visit the blog for this research and interpretation project. You need know nothing about Mary, her collection, the university or the art gallery in advance. Just enjoy what you find at the blog. I suspect it will reel you in just as it has me. Enjoy this short film (made by Asta Films)
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The Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) have launched a new set of resources for teachers.

A series of topics use the arts as a basis for exploring citizenship scenarios with pupils. There are  seven suggested topics, created to support schools entering this years's EHRC Young Brits at Art awards. However the resources are freely available for anyone to access and are relevant to anyone working with young people.

Each topic includes background ideas and information for teachers, an example scenario for teachers and pupils to explore together, and describes the work of a number of contemporary artists working in ways relevant to the topic outlined.

The topics include:
Your Rights - stemming from the United Nations Rights of a Child the topic explores the theme human rights and children's rights.
Homophobic Bullying - exploring homophobic bullying in schools and other places young people meet.
Class Divides Our Futures - asks about how children and young people become judged and channelled into certain schools, roles and careers based on perceptions about their social class.
Staying On - looks at implications for young people in terms of changes to the law about their education and training.
Wild Child - explores adult misconceptions compared to the realities of children's and young people's behaviour.
Creativity as Empowerment - how can we use creativity to remove barriers for people with disabilities?

Resources here
Awards information here
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