Artivism: Four-Week Art Summer School for ages 12 – 15

Come along to Studio KIND for a four-week art-themed summer school for young people aged 12 – 15.

This year will be led by local artist Nicky Ruddick and will be focused on the theme of Artivism – exploring how art can challenge, protest and campaign for change. We’ll look at the work of radical artists from around the world and making our own artworks, learning different techniques whilst also thinking of fun ways to express ourselves!

During the four sessions, the group will explore the concept, examine its history with real examples from art history/ contemporary art and create their own protest art about subjects they are passionate about.

Session 1 – Sign of the times

Nicky will introduce you to the work of Bob and Roberta Smith who campaigns for Arts education and access for all using reclaimed materials and paint. We will look at different examples of protest signs and think about symbols, slogans, lettering, puns etc.

Participants will be taught how to sign write and will make their own signs about a subject of their choice which can be taken home at the end.

All materials are supplied but participants should wear old clothes/ bring an apron to wear.

Session 2 – All cut up

Participants will learn about the use of collage in subverting established ideals, for example, inter-war German artists John Heartfield and Hannah Hoch and feminist artists Martha Rosler and Linder. Then they will choose an issue that is meaningful to them and create a piece of collage art in response.

All materials will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring magazine or newspaper articles about things they are interested in. Please wear old clothes/ bring an apron to wear.

Session 3 – Censorship

Nicky will teach the group about the work of artists around the topic of censorship, including Ai Weiwei, Shepard Fairey and Carlos Garaicoa who have all created art about censorship in their respective countries.

Participants will create their own zine about a subject of their choice using a combination of print making, collage and drawing. All materials are provided but please wear old clothes/ bring an apron to wear.

Session 4 – The Subversive Stitch

Nicky will introduce the work of textile artists such as Mounira Al Solh, Natalie Baxter and PEG Whitstable who challenge the stereotype of textile work by females being pretty and functional.

Participants will create their own piece of textile art about a subject of their choice. Materials such as fabric, sewing materials and paint will be available but you are welcome to bring an old t-shirt to paint onto (cotton or cotton blend works best). Please wear old clothes/bring an apron.

Safeguarding policy and permission slip to be sent out to all ticket holders upon purchasing.

Please return completed permission slip to laura@studiokind.org.uk.