Art in the Community
‘A healthy social life is found only, when in the mirror of each soul the whole community finds it’s reflection, and when in the whole community the virtue of each one is living.’In the past the Stables has been host to a wide range of community arts events. Not only do these events help maintain and encourage good links and relations within our neighbourhood, they also play a crucial role in the student’s educational programme. Whilst working within a wider cross-generational setting, young people can gain experience, boost their confidence, rise to personal challenges and begin to find their place within the world.
Past Events
2007
- Barry and Dave and the Elixir of Peace Students devised and performed all aspects of a multimedia puppet show for local children. ·
- Art Bikes Transform a bike into a spaceship, an underwater scene or an elephant! A children’s workshop as part of the bike festival at the National Railway Museum. ·
- Mask Performance End of year performance devised by students.
2006 Exhibition
Working with two local artists, students planned and hosted an end of year exhibition for the immediate local community.
2005 Puppet Performances
With help and guidance from a puppet specialist, students devised three puppet shows. All were performed here at The Stables and at the Millennium Hall in Carlops Village, Edinburgh.- The Hunchback and the Swan
- The Doll and the Four Winds
- John and The Zombie
2004 ‘Just Around the Corner’
Funded by Arts Council England. A whole series of workshops throughout the year that led up to an exhibition and celebration day. Workshops included:- Outdoor Felt Making Workshop on Scarcroft Allotments.
- Drawing Workshop exploring the overlooked details of everyday life
- Mandala Workshop re-enacting the ancient ritual of creating maps of our present inner landscape.
- Soap Making Workshop using essential oils and petals gathered from The Stables allotment.
- Creative Writing Workshop collaborative writing exercises drawing inspiration from 9th Century Japanese ‘Pillow Book’.
- Pregnancy Belly Bowl Workshop celebrating the magical time and shape of pregnancy by moulding bowls from baby bumps.
- Installation in Rowntree's Park exploring the issues surrounding child safety, a car is filled with sweets, much to the delight of local children.
- Open Allotments in collaboration with Scarcroft Allotments and Amateur Gardeners, an open day, on which local gardeners can share their cultivated land with the public.
2003 ‘In Our Own Backyards’
Funded by Arts Council England. An open exhibition and competition for local residents to enter their backyards as a work of art. Workshops relating to this theme included:- Children’s Miniature Garden Workshop and Competition
- Mosaic Workshop
- Garden Design Workshop
- Living Sculptures Workshop
- Ambient Musical Structures Workshop
- Pin-hole Photography
- Storytelling
- Willow Weaving Workshop
- Stonecarving Workshop
2002 ‘Insite Artists’
This was The Stables first community arts project. With the help of two contemporary/community artists, the young people involved in the educational dimension of The Stables Project were guided through the process of creating artworks and instillations designed to draw the local community towards The Stables Project. Finished pieces included:- Out to Lunch - a performance installation addressing local secondary school students’ attitudes to littering.
- Patrol photography and time-based installation taking footage from the city walls, picturing the polar experiences of locals and tourists.
- Face to Face - large photographic portraits of local people.
- Boogie in the Bandstand project involving film, music and reminiscences, bringing a local disused bandstand back to life. Refuse - giant flower sculpture using discarded rubbish for material.