We are a collective of artists who work with up-cycled materials; mostly textiles. We seek to work with educators in diverse communities and situations to spread our responsive and mindful approach to making. Our project is to co-create educational workshop “creativity kits” for educators’ use.
Goal: We all make some nice things, and share some skills. We develop a circular, sustainable approach to making and an appreciation of the tools, technology and skills needed to work effectively with textile and other waste.
The steps in our project are as follows:
We meet with you (over Zoom) to discuss a project and approach that is best suited for your learners
We visit your group (remotely) to do a workshop with them. They will work with us as they do the project to contribute to the overall approach and methods
We will document works-in-progress and finished pieces
You and the class will provide feedback on the process
We can then do a second round, either a different project with the same class, or refine and revisit with a second class, same educator.
At the end, we will provide the co-developed educator guide and access to all WIP online materials.
Approach:
Keep project simple and suited to specific learners
Process will include prep, some hands-on experimenting and learning, an end product (or a work-in-progress), reflection, and more experiential testing
Emphasis on playful, experiment based approach to learning: if we were cooking, we would focus on the role of flour, its properties combined with other ingredients, and how to knead, rather than just providing recipes to follow
Balanced focus on creativity/aesthetics with eco issues
Explore the Why (need/ purpose of project), What (reused materials), How (textile technique), and What Next (when we’re done with our creation, what becomes of it?)
The whole life of our products: where materials come from, what is its life-span, and how to dismantle or remake into something else is discussed
Our expenses and a small honorarium for you, the educator, are covered by an Artist in Education and Communities grant from the Ontario Arts Council August 2020-21. There would be no additional costs for the workshop, and every maker will be able to at least start a project and learn a skill during the workshop. If materials are needed, and you have a method to distribute, we can provide simple tools (like needle and thread) and, because we work with up-cycled materials, learners can find the material in their home or we can provide.
Time commitment for educators: 2-3 hours out of class time (meet, prep, follow-up) per project 45-90 minutes in class with WIP artists and educators present.