Chisenhale

Public Programme Chisenhale Art Place aims to engage individuals in interesting, relevant and accessible contemporary arts education and practice. With a dedicated Education Studio, the Public Programme creates opportunities for people of all ages and abilities, through specific talks, education projects and exhibitions.
	In-House Programmes Life Drawing Classes Life Drawing classes have been running for a number of years on Tuesdays from 6.30pm - 9.30pm during term time in the Chisenhale Education Studio. The classes are open to all abilities and tutoring is available according to individual needs. Geoff Seville, Emma Gunningham, Joy Girvin and Kate Hardy are currently the facilitating tutors. Classes have been operating on a drop-in basis. However, during summer term 2009, there was a drop off in attendance which necessitated us suspending the classes temporarily. This, however, has provided us with an opportunity to reinvestigate the content and structure of the classes and breathe new life into them. To that end, there will be a consultancy meeting with tutors and students on Tuesday 22nd September 2009 at 6.30pm in our Education Studio. If you would like to attend this meeting, please email Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk Watch this space for updates and for starting dates. Young Artists Project (YAS) Chisenhale Young Artists Studio (YAS) is a free weekly after school activity for young people aged 11 to 17 years, held in our education studio. The classes aim to encourage young people to experiment with different art techniques and to explore and enjoy the full range of contemporary art practice. The project has been run very successfully for the past three years by studio artists Kate Hardy and Kevin Harrison, with a number of visiting artists also contributing. We have recently been awarded funding from the Links Foundation to develop the YAS further. To this end, we are in consultation with young people and tutors during September 2009. If you would like more information about the YAS and to join, contact Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk Watch this space for updates and for starting dates. Artist run Art Classes for Adults Painting classes are held on Thursday evenings in the Chisenhale Education Studio. These run in six week blocks with tutors who are studio artists. Classes are kept small to ensure that all students receive one-to-one tuition. Suitable for all abilities, classes cover a variety of techniques and art practice. Classes will begin again later in the Autumn term. Watch this space for updates and for starting dates. . Studio Visit Programme Groups are welcome to come and visit the studios. We can arrange for studio artists to give short informal talks in their studios about their work and about life as a professional artist. We adapt the visit to suit your particular group’s needs. As Chisenhale is home to forty established and emerging artists whose work reflects the extraordinary range of diversity of contemporary art practice, we are particularly equipped for providing you with a fascinating and enjoyable learning experience. In the past, we have had visits from school groups (of all ages), community groups with a wide range of interests and from Art College students. A small fee is charged for the artist’s time. Please contact Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk if you would like to arrange a group visit. We regret that we have as yet no wheelchair access beyond the ground floor. Volunteer Programme We value highly the dedicated work that our volunteers bring to our Public Programme. In return, volunteers are able to access a wealth of experience in education coordination and hands-on participation in art classes and workshops with both in-house programmes and outreach projects. If you would like to volunteer with us, please contact Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk
Outreach programmes 2009 - 2010 Art Rambles with the Ramblers Association Over four Tuesdays in August, 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th we ran a series of Art Rambles in collaboration with the Ramblers Association for the local community. Each walk was facilitated by a different artist: These were Shamim Azaad, Bengali/English storyteller, Charlotte Mew, visual poet Jon George, printmaker Joy Girven, landscape artist. We are working with The Ramblers to develop this programme further. The Ramblers will also be involved with John Frankland’s walk to Boulder, his ambitious piece of public sculpture at Mabley Green. John’s walk will take place after his talk which will take place at 4pm on Saturday 19th September in our education studio as part of Chisenhale Open weekend. Green Roof We have a dream to create a community green roof on our building -the size of a football pitch. Healthy food, both local and exotic can be grown on it. Or a heady meadow of wild flowers can be sown. Or both of these, and then some. It’s a natural environment for pollinating insects, migratory birds, curious children and enterprising adults; a place for learning through doing. We know that our green roof won’t be built until a few years down the line. But we want community voice and community activity with us from the start; from planning and designing to planting and sustaining. To ensure that, we want to run, over the next two years, artist facilitated active consultations with our community to generate ideas and put plans in place to bring the green roof alive. We are currently seeking funding to realize our dreams for our Green Roof. If you have any thoughts or time you want to contribute to our Green Roof, please contact Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk

Schools Programme

The Secret Garden at Lawdale Junior School

Charlotte Mew, a visual poet and Chisenhale studio artist, worked with three classes of Year 3 children and their parents to create a stitched narrative based on the book “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

The children looked at examples of Bengali quilts to examine simple sewing techniques and to note how elaborate detail is often made up of simple shapes. Each child worked individually or with their parent drawing and then sewing visual elements of the story using simple running stitch. Once finished the pieces were laminated and framed within the existing garden trellis which told the story in a colourful and individual way and created a permanent art installation for the school.

Parents and friends of the school were invited to the grand opening on July 9th 2009, Children’s Art Day, when the English/Bengali storyteller Shamim Azad told stories inspired by the children’s work.

The Secret garden project received Shine funding.

We are currently developing a film project with Lawdale school with the artist and film maker Lisa Nash.

Morpeth Secondary School

We have a relationship with Morpeth Secondary school that spans a number of years and covers many successful projects.
In the autumn term 2009, the artist architect Steve Jensen will work with students on a large scale sculptural project exploring the possibilities of space.

If you are a school and would like to discuss developing a project with us, please contact Marian at programmes@chisenhale.co.uk

Public Programme