We applied and were so thankful to receive funding from The Arts Council to make our Yard space an outdoor classroom space, where we would offer free workshops from local creatives, to people from low income households. We have been blown away by it all. All of the people we have met and the conversations we had have made it a truly special experience and all of the people who have become friends because of it. Hopefully people have learned something new, something that they may not have had the chance to try before.
Planters, tables and stools were built by Gareth Batowski and Aidan Donovan and the tables had a design painted on it by MIKESIAN Studio. Plants were planted and looked after by Eleri Hanley.
Sarah arrived from Stitched Up and set up with Hannah from Evolve Vintage. We had a great workshop with many great conversations along the way. Our lunchtime chat about sustainability really widened my viewpoint and it is something I’ll remember always.
Using patching and embroidery techniques and taking inspiration from Japanese Sashiko stitching, Stitched Up helped the participants to create visible mends that are unique and fabulous.
Stitched Up is a not-for-profit Community Benefit Society inspiring communities across Greater Manchester to take action on sustainable fashion.
Natalie Linseed is a Textile Artist who shared their process with us. Hannah from Evolve Vintage sourced various items made from silk and cotton and each participant chose one to decorate.
As more people are turning away from the world of fast fashion, inventive ways to reimagine our pre-existing textiles are becoming increasingly popular.
The sun shone and everyone enjoyed seeing their piece develop into a totally unique wearable item.
Chef Lorcan Kan of Things Palace showed everyone the process of making traditional Malaysian dishes. First Kari Paps, a savoury pastry filled with curry and Achar pickled vegetables. There were discussions on the history of Malaysian cuisine.
Lorcan showed talked to everyone about the pastry and went through the process of cutting the vegetables, which people found really helpful. Chives were taken from the Yard planters and used as part of the ingredients.
Participants were able to try their food at the end and take some home with them.
The rain came down that day but we were kept dry from the roof and were able to continue the workshop. We talked about natural lighting and everyone shared their experiences with photography.
Everyone each had a miniature set on their table and were able to pick flowers and find objects from the yard to take photographs with using the reflectors that we provided.
After lunch we look at portraiture and all took pictures of each other, using reflectors.
In this one day workshop, Aidan showed everyone how to make a batch of small wooden stools as a group.
They had the chance to see how to go from a rough cut timber to something like a finished piece of furniture.
The day was pretty fast paced with an opportunity to try out lots of different woodworking tools and processes including learning how to read timber, marking and layout, sawing, hand planing, drilling and glue up.
Everyone went home with beautiful stools.
Unfortunately due to staff shortages that day we were unable to go ahead with the workshop in real life but fear not! Mud Palace has worked to bring you a surprise. Head to the bottom of the workshop page for more info!
Easy Peel Studio from Merseyway Workshop held the workshop looking at making a wooden toy cart using London Plane Wood from felled trees in the Stockport City Centre.
The wheels for the cart were either made out of wood or with a recycled plastic material from collected bottle tops from Plastic Shed.
Everyone made something completely unique for wee loved ones.
Nick from Studio Critical ran this great workshop where everyone made their own bike bell using brass and a lot of hammering! This was a noisy one and it was great to see everyone getting lost in their hammering.
Once they finished the brass bike bell they were able to make objects of their choice from some extra copper. Some people made some really beautiful miniature bowls!
Mike and Sian hosted this workshop and the sun shone gloriously for everyone. One participant said that it reminded them of California that day and that’s always nice to hear as it has a special place in our heart and helped with the inspiration of the Yard and the Studio.
People were asked to think of something they’d like to say and then were given a painted board and were shown how to paint letters onto the board. Sounds a lot easier than it is and we were really impressed with how everyone did and the variety of messages that came out.
Thanks to Aidan for bringing another great workshop to people from Manchester Survivors. It was a really special last workshop.
COSMOSIS : A online mini Breathworkshop
Exploring the process of harmony
Including a short meditation in motion practice video to open and tone the body, with dreamy harmonics by Rik Warren, and written prompts to presence.
Sense into inner and outer space with flowing movements and breath >> https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/607547331
Movements are inspired by Taoist forms and are great for stretching out tired, tight muscles, energising and balancing the body and preparing for breathwork and/or vocals.
Stay tuned for follow up practice video Drone to Tone Sing-Along – a vocal toning practice to open the voice and resonate through your energy centres – like a sound bath from the inside with a colour bath for the eyes.