While we have been away from all our face to face work we have been busy developing a new resource that we hope will support people who are isolated or have no access to creative activities.
As we work with hundreds of people each year we would also like to provide ongoing support our participants, at the end of a project. The resource potentially will also offer a ‘taster’ for some of our activities to people we have yet to support.
We will be applying for a grant soon to provide Last Legs with ongoing funding to develop these ideas further.
In the meantime here is a taste of some work in progress for development
Foam printing plate from pizza foam base
Tools and materials needed for foam printing plate
foam pizza base
scissors
straight edge or ruler
felt tip or permanent marker
pencil
a tube of paint
a clean sponge
any paper cardboard for example a recycled envelopes cereal box
printing kit with prints made using recycled foam pizza base
Find a foam pizza base and cut in to smaller pieces or keep whole
draw out a simple bold design
with a pencil draw out the design pressing a little harder in to your design but don’t push through the foam
foam plate part covered in paint
squeeze out paint on to a plastic or washable surface then dab the sponge (smooth side of clean sponge) with the paint and then dab the paint on to the foam plate until the whole surface is covered.
recycled foam with print
Place the paper on top of the plate and smooth lightly over the top with a clean piece of sponge or lightly with hand or put plate face down and apply light pressure to back of plate (whichever way gives best results for you)
You can make a few prints and then make more designs on to the plate and reprint with a different colour at a different angle (using lighter colour paint first then darker for each new layer)
small printing plate of eye
or use the pieces you have cut up / off to make smaller plates with different designs and over print or make new prints
I have cut up some of the paper to make paper beads – instructions to follow
After an email from one of our partner organisation we decided to make up ‘art packs’ for the people we have been working with as part of recent project/s. The participants of our recent projects have become even more isolated due to the current situation and we feel we must do something positive to support them while stuck indoors with very little social interaction or artistic intervention.
We would like you to use the provided sketchbooks to create art works, poems, thoughts, ideas – if possible one a day on a page or using a double page.
We thought these could be photographed or scanned when your ‘diary/ sketchbook’ is complete so that we can make an online or physical exhibition of your work that could inspire other people who may be in a similar situation to create art works as well.
Let your imaginations run wild. You can write or draw anything
For instance you could tear up this letter and rearrange the words to create a poem.
We hope to be working with you again face to face once the situation improves for everyone.
Boz and Lee April 23rd 2020
We are currently making up more packs and would like to thank particularly Mike Mckone and others who have recently donated pens, paper and materials towards the art packs.
I would also like to thank Jean and the Granthams Art Discount team for sorting out the sketchbook orders so quickly.
Thank You! YOUR SUPPORT IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.
Dear all early March 2020
As individuals and as an organisation we take our responsibility to the health and well being of our participants and partnership organisation seriously.
Due to the current situation with regards the Coronavirus we have taken the difficult decision to suspend all our creative activities until further notice.
We apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this will cause to yourselves and to our participants. We feel this is a necessary precaution to undertake due to the numbers of groups and individuals across the Fylde Coast that we work with. Many of our participants are already ‘at risk’ or ‘vulnerable’ residents and community members; therefore we wish to protect them and ourselves from any possible chance of infection or risk of infection.
We were looking forward to taking our recent activities forward in support of positive community engagement however this current crisis has put these creative sessions on hold for the time being.
Last Legs – Boz and Lee wish you all the best and hope that we can continue to work with you all again in the very near future.
Thank you for all your support and understanding
Boz and Lee
Art work below made in March by family member just prior to the current ‘lockdown’ situation.
Earlier this year
In 2020 we have already facilitated 10 workshops with the community and received notice that Glasdon have agreed to support us with funding to enable us to carry out at least one more workshop.
The artist who created the canvas above requested to have the address for suicide prevention services included here
Papyrus – for people under 35 Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm Text 07786 209697 Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Childline – for children and young people under 19 Call 0800 1111 – the number won’t show up on your phone bill, 24/7
The Silver Line – for older people Call 0800 4 70 80 90 – 24/7
We would like to acknowledge our most recent grant funding from the ‘Edith Mary Clark Foundation’, and thank the trustees for awarding us £500 to continue our creative activities with local people and families on the Fylde coast.
We now envisage some of this funding to be utalised for creating art packs for families currently isolated due to the current situation.
We feel privileged to work with our community and are enabled to do so through generous funding from local organisations.
We also continue with our project ‘Upwards and Outwards’ funded by Blackpool Coastal Housing: BCH
On March 2nd we began our creative sessions with families living at a Central Blackpool location. Sessions will be held at the New Life Church, 6 Queen Victoria Rd, Blackpool. These ‘face to face’ workshops are currently ‘on hold’ due to the current situation.
In around two weeks we hope to start back working on the large mosaic, working with local, Revoe and Central Blackpool residents again, thanks to previous funding from the community chest, Revoe-lution funding.
Life.
Life may be tough
Things will get rough
There will be bad days and good
but if the bad days are too much
Please don’t give up
Always stand tall
Always hold your head up high
because as long as you keep moving
there will be no more goodbyes
keep moving
keep fighting
one win at a time.
Poem by G. Dunn 2020
We would like to thank Tracy – ‘Lytham Community Network’ for her recent generous donation of arts materials that will continue to help us offer free materials to participants during our workshops.
Last Legs will be working with local families by offering creative activities free to people experiencing financial hardships due to complex personal circumstances, thanks to our recent funding received from Edith Mary Clark Foundation
As always we seek to work with individuals and groups who often miss out on creative opportunities .
Young people spray painting their design on to the wall
Poem being written in to the art work above
Onward and Upward continued
We are thrilled to announce that BCH are funding Last Legs for a further 24 creative sessions ‘Onwards and Outwards’ . We would like to thank BCH and the grant award committee for once again supporting members of our community who are often excluded from engaging in creative activities, due to lack of funds or personal circumstance.
All our participants leave workshop sessions with art works for their rooms, new homes, or friends and family. The experience of creating an art work from scratch often inspires individuals to continue with their new found skills once they move to a new home.
Below are art works by more community members on the Onward and Upward project
Tangerine Tower
Space painting by community member on project Onward and Upwards
‘Onward and Upwards’
Canvas below spray painted by Gail.
Liverpool stencil on canvas
made by Gail spray painted canvas
We are also delighted that
Blackpool Coastal Housing
are continuing to fund our creative activities and art project ‘Onward and Upwards’ .
Art work created by young people in communal dining area
Art work below created during the project
Art works by young people
‘Worlds’ spray painted triptych on recycled cardboard
We are now continuing with a similar project ‘Onward and Outwards’.
‘I’m framing this one for the bathroom’
‘I’ve tried saying I don’t do art, but the evidence is here’
‘I’m really pleased, I cant even do stick drawings’
below – spray painted jigsaw
‘This is something to really look forward too, its so boring looking at 4 walls, when your in your room with nothing to do, this is something really positive’.
Below the Art work ‘Onward and Upwards’ now installed at the hostel in main staircase: created last year over a number of sessions with local residents.
‘That art work is amazing, it’s the first thing I saw when I arrived here, it’s great I’m really impressed.’
‘I’m buzzing .. this is what I should be doing, it could help sort myself out and stay focused’
I’m really in to art….I used to do arty stuff with the kids when I worked as a nursery assistant .. it was my favourite thing to do with them’.
‘…just passing through’
St Annes-On-Sea art group
We recently worked with an arts for health group in St Annes.
community art outside St Annes
Stencils and spray paint in St Annes. Arts for Health group
Creative Principle Harris Art Event November 2nd 2019
On November 2nd 2019, Boz was selling artworks made using recycled materials @ The Harris Preston Lancashire.
hand made bird recycled materials
The fair showcased local artists who specialise in using recycled materials in their work.
Project working with Horizon ‘Art of Recovery’ group and Grange Park residents 2018-2019
This year we have presented ‘The Grange’ Blackpool with two art works created in collaboration with the Grange Park community and members of the ‘Art of Recovery’ group. The art works include photos of over 70 individuals from the Grange Park area and from the Art of Recovery groups . Community members from Grange Park and people from the recovery community allowed us to take photographs to add to the final piece. We also received a number of super photographic images for inclusion, taken by Donna Hannigan. The ‘Freedom Clock’ art work is now complete and up on the wall, next to the poem art work.
People trying to find themselves on the clock
Freedom Clock Poem by art group member
‘Life is like one big clock Keep on thinking happy thoughts Tick tock: tick tock’.
Our last art work made in to a postcard that went out to Grange Park residents
for including us in this beautiful catalogue commemorating the ‘Marking the Martyrs’ parade last year. We participated in the celebration of ‘Votes for Women’ along with our friends the Revoe-lution choir.
Going forward further in to 2019 we continue to work with Horizon Blackpool, Blackpool Gorton St , the Revoe and Central community, Urban Arts Studio St Annes, and the Grange – Grange Park community.
After collecting tiles from Kass at ‘Al Murad’ Blackpool and spotting a small hoard ready for the skip at another shop, we had a ‘trial run’ of using the pieces that Mr Dee spent 3 days cutting up.
The Hand Made Un’s Art Club have now started the work after securing a small pot of funding for materials earlier this year, thanks to Pippa Martin. We are applying for further funding to work with more of the community throughout 2018 to produce some smaller mosaics to be installed outdoors in the Revoe area.
The Blackpool Gazette came this week to take photographs for a feature on the project and the club. Thank you to Dan and Julia from the Gazette.
Lee’s drawing up on the backer board ready to add tiles.
Keep watching the blog for updates.
Margaret tried out a windmill design, while Andy ‘supervised’.
Anita tried out a house design.
Barbara worked on her King Edward Picture House design. The location of the finished mosaic will be on the side the George pub that is also included in the mosaic.
work delivered to Grange Park today 4th January 2019
Our last artwork for 2018 completed in December 2018 for ‘The Grange’ working in collaboration with art group, local, and the art of recovery community. on behalf of Horizon Blackpool.
Thank you to everyone who participated and a Happy New Year.
We are currently working with people in Blackpool as part of our Art Buddies Project.
The project aims to support people who may be socially isolated to get involved creatively in their communities. We take creative activities to people who may not have the opportunity to get involved with the arts due to personal circumstance or ill health. The project is funded by BCH.
In November we began work with the art group at the Grange, Grange Park to produce a bespoke artwork that reflects the memories and images of people of Grange Park. We are working with the group for 6 weeks until 14th December.
We were at Highfield Park today creating art works for the park with the community and Friends of Highfield Park volunteers.
We have been spray painting these portraits on the Recovery Tram: working with Blackpool Horizon Art Club to produce stencil based art work using photographs of participants.
We also worked with the group to produce spray paint designs on the Horizon tram ready for the pride walk 12th June 2018.
In May we volunteered at the stone carving workshops in St Annes, organised by St Annes in Bloom.
Mr Dee working with one young participant to make his mark on the stone
Anthony Lysycia the stone carver at work on one of the stone pieces.
With the community in Revoe and the Art Club Hand Made Un’s we created two new poster for the front of the King Edward Cinema. Project commissioned by Blackpools’ Healthy Living and Creative Design Officer.
Revoe Community Choir participated in the ‘Marking the Martyrs’ parade on Saturday 2nd June.
Banner made with ‘Hand Made Un’s’ art club and Boz Phillips.
Supporting Blackpools’ longest established artists group: Blott Artist Studio.
With the Hand Made Un’s and community members in the Central and Revoe area we are creating a community mosaic. The mosaic will be installed on the empty spaces along the George Hotel on Central Drive visible to the wider community.
Work started in May after 2 days of sorting and cutting tiles
We received a very generous donation of tiles from Al-Murad Tiles Blackpool branch. Thanks to artist Kass –
for sourcing these end of line tiles for our mosaic.
Hand Made Un’s art works on plates dishes, cups and saucers, will be for sale on 18th August at Revoe Fun Day.
items such as these beautiful Blackpool themed plates are now available prices start at £3: half the money will go to the community center the other half to the lifeboats.
On Saturday August 18th
We will be running a workshop for children customising bandannas at the Fun Day.
We are currently working with Shabby2Chic and the wonderful Sandra, in Knott End. An exiting opportunity to be involved with the Wise Owls project in a fantastic new venue for exhibiting and selling began this week. We will be in Knott End at the studio every Monday.
In January we will be continued with the successful ‘Art Buddies’ in a new Blackpool location – Marton . The first leaflets have now been distributed to people in sheltered housing in Marton. The project is funded by Blackpool Coastal Housing.
In February we exhibited a selection of our work at Urban Arts Studio St Annes.
In August Boz Phillips and Lee Fitzgerald worked with people accessing the services of Horizon Blackpool to curate a series of their art works and poetry to be included on the tram.
The art work produced by individuals was on display as a series of vinyls designed by Boz and Lee using all art works by ‘Art of Recovery’ members on the side of Blackpool Heritage 641 Centenary tram.
M ‘So for me this project has come at a vital time in my recovery … I got into art a few months ago having having been introduced to it’s therapeutic values in the psychiatric ward around 7 months ago …
The warm welcome has been great and for me it’s all about the creative wonderful people I have met and will continually meet in the Freedom Building. A special thanks to Carole, The massive amount of encouragement from Boz and Lee (thank you Lee for all our chats you have really inspired me). Thank you Faron for a few days painting I would definitely work for you again.
I would definitely be interested in any future art projects’
E ‘It’s great how much this has helped you guys.
Boz and Lee should certainly work helping in recovery. I think they’re great people. You feel no judgement from them, only kindness and encouragement. Very opening and welcoming people. ‘
Extract from Horizon Press release.
“As well as displaying artwork created as part of the recovery journey, the tram site will also act as an information point for people looking to access help with their addiction issues. We want to spread the word that recovery is possible for the majority of people who seek help.”
‘The project was officially launched on 8th September as part of the FAVOR UK Recovery Walk celebrations which will be taking place in Blackpool over the weekend. A national recovery conference is planned for Friday the 8th September and the annual FAVOR UK Recovery Walk will take place on Saturday 9th September; the largest gathering of people in recovery in Europe with an estimated 5000 people expected to join in the celebrations in Blackpool town centre.’
The static tram with the art could be viewed at Blackpool, South Promenade, in front of the Sandcastle. The tram with art works has now moved back to Fleetwood for storage as of 26th June 2019.
Rob 2019
‘Yeah it,s going but…………………………….what that means to me. I first saw it when Carole showed it to me. As an addict, that was an amazing thing to see. I’ve been down there when I have felt a bit low. I’ve not told anyone but Feb/Mar/Apr time, on a Sunday, I’d cycle down there. I was struggling. I cycled back totally under control. I got pics, I will never forget that tram.’
The ‘Art Of Recovery’ group, set up by the project participants still runs on a Wednesdays evenings and Saturdays at the Freedom Building
If you require any further information about the project or the services mentioned above please contact them directly.
Copper poem plaques: art works created by Mr Dee as part of the Art Trail in St Annes. Thanks to Melanie and Jane at the Attik, St Annes for supporting us and St. Anne’s on The Sea Town Council for funding the work.
We have set a competition for people to find all 10 plaques situated throughout St Annes.
First Prize went to Dee Webb and Richard Hone worthy 1st winners of an original work of art. Having completed the arts trail hunt ‘The Difference’ by Boz Phillips andMisterDee ToYou. Proving that it can be done! There is still time…the Arts trail hunt will continue during the festival of the seaside with 4 pieces of art still to be won. Pop in to Urban Arts Studio,11-12 Back St. Annes Road West, FY8 1RD Lytham St Annes, to pick up the 10 clues and come back to us to collect your prize. It’s a treasure hunt with a different pot of gold.
Working with Glass Artist Colette Halsted, Boz Phillips created two of the plaques in glass.
During August we will be working with Horizon Blackpool to create art works on a static Blackpool Tram, situated near the Sandcastle Blackpool. We are currently working with two groups on their designs and ideas.
On August 16th we created screen printed bags with Revoe residents on Revoe Park for the Revoe-lution Fund Day.
On Saturday we were screen printing bags at the
Ibbison Community Fun Day
Posters project – King Edward Picture House.
Posters in situ on the front of King Edward Picture House.
At the end of last year we worked with Hand Made Un’s Art Club participants and the local community to create these posters for the front of the King Edward Picture House on Central Drive. Designs and ideas came from the participants. The posters went up in January.
Looking forward to creating two new posters for the King Edward soon: working with our Art Club members @ Hand Made ‘Un’s Art Club Ibbison Court Community Center.
Poster in progress from Margaret and Andy.
May 2017
Live paint at Blackpool Grand Theater, Matcham Court 20th May 2017
On Saturday 20th May. Mr Dee Live painting at Matcham Court, Blackpool Grand Theater ‘Hip Hop Takeover’ as part of the lead in event to Breakin’ Convention on Saturday 27th May.
Grand Love Hip Hop
Mr Dee: Graffiti Art Work, Back St Annes West, part of the Art Trail in 2016 St Annes-On-Sea, Lancashire.
Minty Fresh
Although we are a very small organisation we like to look at the bigger picture.
We try to reach as many community members, local artists and organisations as we can: building on each project to create a network of creative thinking and making throughout the Fylde Coast.
We are in the process of identifying funding and grants to carry out creative projects and activities in St Annes this year. We are also currently seeking individuals, groups and organisations who would benefit from working in partnership with us in St Annes.
Graffiti and Poster workshops at Mary Smith House
We were at the Revoe-lution AGM on Saturday 08/04/2017 doing a workshop and showing photos and information from previous workshops, to the local community. The workshops funded by the Revoe-Lution ‘Community Chest’ grant enabled us to work in partnership with the youth outreach team this February.
‘Art Buddies’ – creative community engagement January – ongoing 2017
Joanne’s ‘Crazy Cat’ book getting an expert appraisal. June 30th at Art Club.
In 2016 we received funding from BCH (Blackpool Coastal Housing) that we are utalising in 2017 to reach people in the community who may feel isolated or who miss out on opportunities for creative engagement due to circumstances beyond their control. ‘Art Buddies’ began this January in the Revoe area of Blackpool and is continuing successfully. Reaching individuals to engage in creative activities. Two of our ‘Art Buddies’ Joanne and Stephen are now coming along to the ‘Hand Made Un’s’ art club.
Joanne and Stephen have been working on books and posters.
Joanne working on a map for her new book
Stephen working on a poster design
Art Club ‘Hand Made Un’s’ 2017
We created stencil canvases and hand draw table ware.
Receiving local funding and working with local organisations enables us to engage with communities, local artists and individuals at a grassroots level.
We would like to thank
Circles of Light
Shabby2Chic CIC
POSCA pens for the valuable contribution of pens to us.
The New Revoe Residents Association for their ongoing support
On 6th August Ibbison Community Center re opened after the refurbishment work was completed. The glass chandelier is up as of today. The reaction so far has been fantastic. Thank you to Colette Halstead who took time out today to hook all the glass on to the bespoke frame after working with us to create this beautiful masterpiece.
In November we completed a poster project for a Blackpool Heritage project. The posters will be displayed on the front of The King Edward picture House on Central Drive in December 2016. We worked with the community and the Hand Made Un’s Art Club participants to create two distinctive ‘Movie’ posters which make references to local history and local places.
Margaret (pictured here talking about her work) has been instrumental in designing one of the posters for the ‘King Eddie’.
At the present we are not able to put up images of the work until the posters are in-situ.
On September the 2nd we began our ‘Wise Owls’ workshops with Shabby2Chic
Art Club members from ‘Hand Made Un’s’ undertook this course with Sandra Johnson from S2C. All participants received a certificate at the end of the course.
On August 20th we were involved with the Revoe Fun Day
Meanwhile
Mr Dee has been busy painting for the Back West Art Trail in St Annes. The results have gained many admirers and we hope to continue this work in support of St Annes and the community.
We have set up a Facebook Page for our ‘Hand Made Un’s’ community art club. Information about past, present and future work can be found here
and includes work we did to create the glass chandelier with glass artists Colette Halstead and local residents
is ready to be mounted from the ceiling in when the center is completely refurbished Ibbison Community Center. The workshop was funded by LeftCoast as an extension to our local artists workshops in 2015/2016.
Boz and Mr Dee had some of their work on exhibition and for sale recently at Urban Arts Studio St Annes
This is an exiting new art space where we hope to be doing more work very soon. There are also opportunities for us to work with and support local businesses while working with the community.
and Boz exhibited her work at Blott Art Studio as part of the ‘Be The Banana Skin’ feminist art exhibition in May 2016
We are also currently working with
Arts Partnership Fylde to find ways to support and enhance the arts creativity and community engagement throughout Fylde.
Julia Swarbrick will continue our ongoing working partnership with local residents following her successful book making workshop in January. The project will involve working with local historian Shirley McCarten to make a handmade book. Julia will also work with local residents who remember Blackpool Central Train Station, and the Wakes Weeks to record historical events of the times gone by. Julia currently works with Blackburn Museum. The ‘Wakes Weeks’ project is part of her ongoing work.
Photo from January’s workshop. Funded by LeftCoast.
The book making extended our range of local artists workshops run for 6 months, once a month on Tuesdays Memory Lane Cafe.
One year since the opening and a ‘Live Paint’ with Mr Dee for Breakin’ Convention in May 2016 to celebrate !
The residents ‘Revoe-lution’ community choir recently performed at the King Edward on Central Drive and two local poets Walentina Ivanovna L and Kate Eggleston-Wirtz joined us for the occasion – The Shakespeare Festival week
The residents Association recently won an award for all their hard work for the community. We were very happy to accept the invitation to the event and the award presentation.
Last Legs is committed to working in partnership with local artists, community groups, organisations and businesses to promote and support health and creativity for people of all ages.
Information on all our previous activities are available on these wordpress blog pages
