The Art Of Together - Babbling Vagabonds

I feel like summer is already here. The long days, the warm sun, the swifts in the sky and the birdsong on those bright mornings when I’m walking the dog.I feel like alot has happened recently so I took a moment to look back and reflect on the last couple of months. It sure has been a full calendar! I was reminded of our role in the Derbyshire Makes Festival and the fun weekend we had at Cromford Mill. I’m grateful for the spaces we create where people of all ages can come together and have time to explore their own inner artist.

A small child with her back to the camer and in an orange top and plaits in her hair sits in front of our big puppet Pete. Pete has big eyes and brown fabric falls to form his body.

The Herds – Threads of Nature

We’ve had a fantastic time working on this project. We have been highlighting the migration of swifts and thier link with Macclesfield. We have run workshops, collaborating with families to create swifts and other beautiful elements that have come together in a wonderfully inspiring display at Macclesfield Museum.The display is up for about a month so call in and take a look. Be sure to leave your climate pledge too.Don’t forget that this has been part of a much larger project called The Herds. They come to Manchester at the beginning of July. Find them on Instagram and watch their journey, it’s inspiring.This project was supported by Art Fund and inspired by The Herds.

There is a young child using old silk printing blocks to decorate her swift in a family crafts workshop

Half Term Fun in Derby

We are dishing out cures and remedies in Dery Market Hall Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of half term.Wander the stalls and see if you can spot those Curing Chemists or find me at one of the stalls and come and make yourself a quick pick me up to get you through the week!Hoping our smiles are infectious as we spread joy this half term!

Photo credit Richard Tymon, Derbyshire Makes

Our Curing Chemists dressed in Victoriana style costumes are having fun with a man who is sat on a stool and laughing. One of the actors is holfing a colourful umbrella with words written on it of various ailments and they are trying to predict what is wrong with him.

Bright Futures

We have been working in two schools in the New Mils area for about 18 months now looking at pupil voice and creative assessment. It’s been a thought provoking journey and we’ve learnt alot along the way. It’s certainly pushed my creativity when asked to find ways to teach topics like electrical circuits and human biology in a more creative way.

The photo is taken from the back of a classroom. Children are at their desks, one with their hand up. A girl is at the whiteboard writing something and an actor looks on and he is dressed in a white lab coat, pretending to be a scientist