As our Green UPLIFT programme for 2025 draws to an end here's a reminder of the wonderful Green UPLIFT's we enjoyed in the Autumn months.
GARDEN GATHERING AT CIVIC
Garden Gathering at the Civic saw lots of community groups
coming
together to celebrate the anniversary of VE day with the theme ‘Freedom from
Want.’
Selected as one of the core creative partners, Creative
Recovery worked with CJ from Black Lodge Press in the run up to the event, running writing workshops to gather words which were then used to create banners and decorations for the event.
The theme ‘Freedom from Want’ meant different things to
different people, but collectively everyone shared the view that everyone has
the right to have what they need and that communities should come together and
the world’s resources shared equally.
Creative Recovery artists, Helen and Joanne worked with
participants to screen print words from the writing workshops onto serviettes which were then hung around Mandela Gardens and placed on tables as decorations for
the garden event. Screen printed phrases included ‘The world is every bodies’.
UPLIFTER’s had a lovely afternoon at the garden event, they
were treated to afternoon tea whilst enjoying the entertainment provided by the
Civic. Street performers Mark Mark entertained with their wartime comedy
routines, there was tea dancing to wartime songs with some fabulous 1940’s costumes on display.
It was wonderful to see so many community groups and artists coming together and creating together - a lovely process culminating in a great event!
BIRDSONG AT OLD MOOR
It was a beautiful September afternoon when we took a group of UPLIFTER’s to RSPB Old Moor to work with musician, James Dey to record birdsong for an ongoing project which will see UPLIFTER’s creating a piece of music inspired by nature and birdsong.
With so much of the process to enjoy, we used the day to
immerse ourselves in nature. We hired binoculars for bird watching, spotting Guillemots
drying their wings and all types of dragon fly including a Ruddy Darter, who’s
scarlet scarpering's were a sight to behold! We captured sight recordings, did
some drawing and writing - the words of which will be used in the sound scape.
We were fortunate for such a stunning day for this Green UPLIFT! The vibrancy of the bright red berries against the beautiful blue sky was a real feast for the eyes and lifted our spirits!
SUNSETS AND SMALL THINGS
This Green UPLIFT did exactly what it says on the tin!
During the walk Helen encouraged UPLIFTER’s to really notice
and pay attention to the small things. UPLIFTER’s collected the smallest, most
intriguing bits of nature they could find. Conkers, acorns, berries and
leaves were amongst the findings and were used for micro exploration of the titled small things, these were taken to Old Boathouse for sketching.
At the Old Boathouse, UPLIFTER’s nestled in for the evening to watch the sunset, where they enjoyed deep filled sandwiches and hot chocolate. As the sun went down UPLIFTER's made their way onto the terrace for a Negomi art workshop with Helen. This uses the dust from chalk pastels which is rubbed to create a sunset effect. UPLIFTER’S really enjoyed the Japanese style drawing and there were some extraordinary results!
We finished off the evening walking through the woods by
torch light, feeling very privileged to have
the dam to ourselves. UPLIFTER’s
described this as a magical night and we’d have to agree!
“It was so magical, peaceful and restorative. I feltpart of something so special in nature with wonderful fellow human beings. As ever Helen made sure we all felt calm and relaxed and worked hard to see that we were all safe and happy. Thank you.”
POTTERY AT WORSBROUGH
Autumn gave us a chance to come together at another of our
favourite Green UPLIFT spots, Worsborough Mill for a double bill of pottery.
Angie was a great tutor and UPLIFTER’s enjoyed the sessions
which were a little more structured than other Green UPLIFT's , here’s what they had to say about the
event:
“I thought it’d be a pottery wheel but it’s been very different and very interesting. Its opening my mind to different things I can make and paint by hand, I’ve really enjoyed it.”
“Really enjoyed it and would love to do it again to build on
the skills I’ve learnt. Really looking forward to seeing it finished and
glazed. Its also got me out again, to meet new people who I hope to see again.”
“I loved every minute and benefitted a lot. I’m leaving with
a smile on my face. I was feeling very overwhelmed and this has given me
respite.”
“Great tutor, really lovely environment, I always benefit
from creating something memorable and learning something new, which I always do
with Creative Recovery, so thank you!”
“Very therapeutic.
Nice to be doing this in a group setting but all working on our own pieces. I
sued to do pottery classes as a child and it brough back some lovely memories.
I like the way the tutor gave the information, informative but not controlled,
it allowed us creative freedom, I’ve never used oxides before, and it was nice
to come back to the second session rather than just having the one and being
done.”
Thanks to Angie Hardwick for a great workshop. The comments seem to speak for themselves on this one so we’ll definitely be doing more pottery in the future!
As you can see it’s been an action-packed year of Green
UPLIFT’s! Thank you to all our talented artists who have worked with
us and shared their skills and expertise. Thanks to our partnering venues for your
beautiful green spaces and to our UPLIFTER’S who make our events magical
whenever they come together.
We're busy beavering away planning lots of lovely Green UPLIFT's for 2026 so keep your eyes peeled!
In the meantime, we wish you a happy new year and look forward to seeing you on a Green UPLIFT very soon!
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