Cross Houses Workshops

Workshops

The project is predominantly being explored through community workshops presented by a group of experienced Shropshire based artists. The workshops are free and aimed to appeal to young and old alike, offering a broad range of subjects from brick clay carving, mosaics and ceramic techniques, wood-carving, bench building, stone carving, willow sculptures, poetry, drama, story telling, digital photography and video. The workshops will be based in and around the new community centre in Cross Houses, which has been converted from the old Workhouse and Hospital Chapel and is a brand new facility for this community. Benchart was the first community project to be held in the centre, ensuring its immediate use.

Workshop Numbers

The workshops have been a great success with valuable positive feedback and have been well attended by young and old alike.

During our workshops   --- families have been involved, ----teenage boys attended regularly and ----teenage girls, plus ---under 12’s

Clay Carving

Clay carving workshops were held regularly throughout 2006-07. Photographs of the old hospital building were used as a source of inspiration for this work. The carved, fired, brick paviers were on display at the Benchart Open Weekend held in July 2006.These pieces will eventually be incorporated into benches and shelters.

Clay bricks and paviers were kindly donated and fired by Ibstock Bricks, Lodge Lane, Cannock.

Fired carved paviers

Wood Carving

Ivan Williams created the first Benchart bench installed in the spring of 2006. Ivan then ran a number of wood-carving workshops.

Poetry and Drama

An exciting poetry and drama workshop was held in April, lead by nationally acclaimed poets and writers Andrew and Polly Peters. Twenty five local children and a few adults attended the fun-filled afternoon and created some wonderful poems, which were then seen on display in the Community Centre. Andrew and Polly brought some of their books along and sold signed copies.

Freda Donelley’s book ‘The Building with a History…Cross Houses Hospital 1792 -1999’, and memories gathered from older members of the community, were used as a source of inspiration for the poetry and drama.

During the afternoon we began working as a whole group and created a ‘Group Poem’ inspired by activities relating to the old Workhouse. We then split into smaller groups or worked alone to write poems about children living in the Workhouse being sent away to work as servants for wealthy families.

Some of the poems will be carved into clay bricks which will then be incorporated into sculptures and benches.

Opportunites

Volunteers from the village will shortly be invited to join in the building of the ‘head’ sculpture. Currently undergoing planning permission with the Council.

There will also be opportunities to join us on trips to sculpture parks, galleries and brickies.