Posted on Monday 16th January 2023
Artists Ben Sadler and Phil Duckworth
People in Stafford are being invited to a series of free creative workshops running in some of the town’s libraries.
Staffordshire’s archives and libraries services have joined forces to deliver the workshops as part of the ‘A Sense of Place’ project.
The workshops will help people to explore what they love about where they live, taking inspiration from local heritage collections. Workshops will also help boost people’s wellbeing through creative & social activity.
The project is being led by Creative Health CIC which involves creative residencies, workshops & events with local communities across the West Midlands.
Artists Ben Sadler and Phillip Duckworth of Juneau Projects are running the workshops. People will also have exclusive access to explore the county’s museum collections, while making connections to local spaces and historical objects to inspire their own work.
Phillip Duckworth said:
“We're really looking forward to meeting people and working with them on a range of creative activities.
“We'll be taking inspiration from the nature on our doorstep and trying out different arts and crafts, such as printmaking and painting. No previous experience is needed, we'll provide all the materials you'll need. Just bring along your sense of enthusiasm and fun!”
Cllr Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member responsible for Communities and Culture at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Libraries have always used arts and crafts for social activities and we are incredibly grateful to the National Lottery who are funding the workshops.
“The project will allow us to build on this work and to reach out and explore new ways to get more people involved in our heritage. Sharing our museum and archive collections is a key element of our new Staffordshire History Centre project and it is fantastic to see this happen in such a creative way.”
Workshops are running at Holmcroft Library and Baswich Library on Wednesday 18th January and Wednesday 25th January. Workshops will run from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. All abilities are welcome and no previous experience is necessary.
Following the taster sessions, regular workshops will then take place from 22nd February to 12th April with a ‘behind the scenes’ trip to Museum stores on 1 February.
Further information is available at: A Sense of Place - Staffordshire County Council
A Sense of Place is made possible thanks to public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.