I was honored to be artist-in-residence at Cambridge Artworks in their bright blue bespoke caravan studio, which is used by visiting artists during summer residencies.
Founded in 1994, CAMBRIDGE ARTWORKS is an artist-run co-operative of 18 artists' studios within a former cabinet-maker's workshop in central Cambridge, England. In addition to the studios, the building houses CAMBRIDGE ARTSPACE, a small gallery for hire available for exhibitions, workshops and taught courses.
Collaborative drawing at Cambridge Artworks
Support for My Eco-Social Collaborative Book Leaving Earth
During my 3-week residency, I will be hosting workshops and drop-in days so that people can contribute to the Leaving Earth book.
When complete, Leaving Earth will be a large dimensional handmade book - it will be in concertina format like my other books but considerably bigger at 10 inches high and up to 20 feet long/ 25cm high and up to 6 meters long. All the materials in the book are being created through public workshops where participants can choose to contribute images and writing to be included in the book.
You can read more about the Leaving Earth Project here.
Community engagement and a shared experience of presence in nature are central to my Leaving Earth book project.
I engage participants in many ways that lead them to make artwork or written contributions that speak to their experience of the natural world around them. My workshops start with spending time in nature, followed by collaborative drawing, individual writing exercises, or photo safaris.
Aside from the lovely work created, the workshops transform a group of strangers or shy youngsters into a lively and inspired community. What you take away is a new way of looking at, responding to and connecting with the natural world.
September 2023: Leaving Earth Workshops at Cambridge Artworks:
Workshop 1 – Words Into Images:
‘Words Into Images’ is a hands-on writing and drawing workshop for young people and adults over the age of 10. You are invited to collaborate on a visual poem with Cambridge Artworks artist-in-residence Amanda Mears. At the end of the workshop, you can choose to become a part of Amanda’s global Leaving Earth collaborative book project by donating your artwork.
Saturday, September 2nd, 2pm-4pm
Saturday, September 9th, 2pm-4pm
Location: Cambridge Artworks, 5 Greens Rd, Cambridge CB4 3EF
Free workshop, booking essential, age 10 and older.
Participants turning words into images at a Leaving Earth workshop
Workshop 2 – Exploring & Drawing:
Tuesday, September 5th, 2pm-5pm
Join Cambridge Artworks artist-in-residence Amanda Mears and natural world activist and conservationist James Murray-White for a location-specific workshop exploring connection and presence in a wild natural space. After a guided exploration of an unspoiled ecological area, we will create a large collaborative outdoor drawing. The drawing will be used in Amanda’s global Leaving Earth collaborative book project.
Free workshop, booking essential, suitable for all ages.
The location will be near Eddington and accessible on foot or bicycle. There will be a short guided walk and free-roaming before we begin drawing.
The meeting point and details will be provided upon registration.
Can’t Make a Workshop? Drop By My Residency at Cambridge Artworks
Artist-In-Residence Drop-In Days:
Tuesday, August 22nd, 11-4pm
Wednesday, August 30th, 11-4pm
Wednesday, September 6th, 11-4pm
Drop in on me and find out how you can be a part of my eco-social artist book project Leaving Earth. Leaving Earth is a collaborative book project that has been supported by institutions in the US and UK including Cambridge’s Fitzwilliam Museum.
The book is being made from artwork donated by participants of all ages and backgrounds. When finished, Leaving Earth will be a three-dimensional sculptural concertina book that stretches almost six meters in length. Seen as a whole, the book will be a gradient of colour that shifts from the cool tones of morning to the golden hour and into night. Seen up close it will be a series of hand-cut pop-up style dioramas evoking through colour and texture the visual experience of being on earth.
Location: The Cabinet of Curiosities: Cambridge Artworks, 5 Greens Rd, Cambridge CB4 3EF
