I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my ten days working on @moonbeams_3 this Summer. The first five sessions were spent indoors as a ‘pop-up potter’ working with early years groups and individuals on the potter’s wheel. One week I’d be in the hub, the following in the cafe area assisting very young artists with their clay making. 

The arrival of the the school holidays heralded a new, even more messier approach – namely mud sculpture outside on the terrace. The young people worked alongside their significant adults and the collaborative atmosphere has been alive with animated conversation. So many benefits for language development, social interaction and hands on, learning about natural materials. Oh, we had a shed load of fun too!

I’ve met so many lovely people and creative souls, some of whom returned on numerous occasions to sample the clay & mud mayhem. Here’s just a few comments & observations:

Kitty’s mum – “The very next day after the potter’s wheel workshop at mac, we saw a shiny new potter’s wheel in a charity shop – £2!!! – she loves it!”

Alison (adult) – “Absolutely fantastic, this is a cracking idea!”

Conversation between x2 young participants: – A:“I’ve got this, it’s a gardening fork” B: “no it’s not, it’s a mud fork – you know what, I need more mud, get a spade mum!”

Various comments from the children: “I’ve never played with mud until today” “All I like is art – that’s all” I like, would like a different material to create an effect” “If my friend stayed he could have made a duck with me but he’s having a washing machine” “It’s the parts of my clay I used earlier and it’s dried up” “We’re just mixing water into it to get all the bits away” “Clay is a freestyle thing” “They’re not birds they’re ducks!” “It’s a bit tough, it needs more water” “Make a hole where the power goes, it’s a speed boat” “It wont really move, it’s mud – why don’t you use concrete?” I’m getting messy hand, I’m going to get the messiest hands ever!” “I’m decorating”

D’s story: (pictured above) Whilst banging the hazel pegs into the sandbags with a mallet, ‘D’ and myself were having a conversation about where the sticks had come from. I told him I’d cut them from a hedge near my home in Herefordshire. Having struggled with an awkward and particularly bent peg he turned to me and with some indignation and exclaimed “why did you collect this one then?”

‘D’ really enjoyed the whole process of making the muddy boat and was able to relate it directly to his experience of working at home with his dad in the house and garden. Whilst leaning on his shovel taking a well earned break: “We’ve built a house – done the bathroom, done the kitchen, done the bedroom and done in another bedroom, when it’s all done I’ll come back here and tell you about it all”

Photo’s of Tuesday’s fun.