Today I took along a number of objects for people to use as ideas for shapes to cut out to then use in a new collage, instead of choosing random pictures and papers. These were some of the items.
Some people chose one item to cut multiples. Some people chose more than one item and then composed collages with the cut out shapes.
Some cut out shapes took on new lives
Any of these pictures here would look amazing framed. What do you think?
So many people say they ‘can’t’ draw or ‘do art’. Using colours and shapes makes us see everyday objects in different ways.
Being creative helps the mind ‘play’ and frees us from ‘formal’ ideas of what we may think ‘art is’. A creative mind is a healthy mind and there is plenty of research to prove this.
Next week we will be following up on Julia Swarbricks’ workshop by doing more printing and using some of our new found skills to make printing blocks and printing with them.
I didn’t manage to take a photo of all the lovely cakes made by New Revoe Residents Association – all went down very fast. Thank you so much to Angie, Suzanne and all the fantastic team
Fantastic work everyone!
Next week we are making 3D collages from a still life.
Each pupil picked out an unusually named plant or flower from the ‘mystery bag’ and then drew a design of how they thought the plant might look. We invited the young people to research the origins of the plants and to look up how the plant really looked, after they had created these amazing fantasy plants using recycled materials.
These are just a small sample of all the plants created.
This project is supported by the local community and funded by LeftCoast as part of their ‘Growing People’ initiative in Blackpool
We work with Shabby2Chic because they support people in our community to achieve their aims of finding skills and employment. Through Sandra’s dedication to recycling and supporting the people most in need in the community to make Blackpool a better place to live and work.
We recently worked with Sandra on workshops with young people who produced the following ‘Shabby chic’ items. We could not post until now as one item was made for a wedding present.
I am a graffiti artist with over 30 years experience. I hold current enhanced DBS and Public Liability Insurance.
Revoe Community Graffiti Mural, 2023. Painted and designed by young people.
I devise and deliver community based art projects, sharing my skills and knowledge of the history of graffiti art to as many people as possible. I strongly believe graffiti art can support the development of literacy skills in people of all ages. Graffiti painting with the community uses team building skills that create opportunities for intergenerational communication and understanding.
I am co-founder and chairman of Last Legs
Photo of graffiti workshop at Lytham Hall : participants spray painting on to shrink wrap
Recent projects include:
2024
‘A Question of Art’ – current project
Site specific Tree of Life: Young peoples hostel 2023
2022
‘Home is where your heART is’
working in hostels across Blackpool to produce art works including poetry with people about to move to new homes.
2021
Revoe mosaic project – a celebration of Revoe
2019
Horizon Art of Recovery project
Two major art works devised constructed and installed by Last Legs.
Commissioned by Horizon Blackpool to work in collaboration with the Art of Recovery group and community members of Grange Park Blackpool.
Art work at Gorton Street Hostel created with the residents.
November 2016- January 2017
Poster project for the front of the King Edward Cinema Central Drive Blackpool
Working with the community to design and produce 2 large scale site specific ‘movie posters’ . Incorporating designs and histories of Blackpool linked to the Central area of Blackpool.
Lytham Arts Festival 2014
Grandads and lads – 3 large scale graffiti designs done in Park View over 3 days of Lytham Arts festival
August 2013 “Contemporary Calligraphy” at Lytham Hall.
Working with a group of volunteers mostly between the ages of 50 and 70 we created an ephemeral graffiti mural in the grounds of Lytham Hall.
After arriving at what the participants thought was going to be a calligraphy workshop everyone was given a brief history of graffiti and an introduction to the tools and processes of graffiti art.
We then spent the rest of the day spray painting murals onto cling film stretched between trees in the grounds of the hall.
Workshop participants with art work at Lytham Hall
Graffiti art commissioned Blackpool centenary tram ready for its new use as a youth hub.
February 2013.
In partnership with Shabby 2 Chic CIC I assisted a 17 year old young man to achieve his Expressive Arts Award.
Art work cupboard designed and painted by participant
Over the course of 6 weeks we designed and created a custom piece of recycled furniture and printed t-shirts using his own designs.
have experience of working in partnership with organisations such as New Revoe Residents Association, Blackpool Borough Council, Young carers, Streetlife, Fylde Youth Service, Blackpool Horizon project and Blackpool Club to Go : delivering, and facilitating numerous community arts projects.
Two recent projects I have worked on include – a poster project for Blackpool Art service and Blackpool Grand Theater ‘Breakin’ Convention. I worked in partnership with Boz Phillips on ‘Breakin’ Convention’ where I was the lead artist. As Last Legs we have received funding for a number of project in the Blackpool Central / Revoe areas. Working with community members of all ages. Our most recently successful devised, delivered and funded project is ‘Art Buddies’ – going to the homes of isolated individuals and involving them in creative activities. This project is ongoing.
Please take a look at recent pages for my ongoing community art work
This site is dedicated to our work with community members
last legs community arts health 
