Participant painting flowers at one of the workshops

Using the collections to inspire art, creativity and conversation

From January 2023 the Archives and Heritage team have been joining forces with Staffordshire Libraries to deliver a creative wellbeing programme in two community managed libraries in Stafford.

The Staffordshire Creative Residency formed part of the regional A Sense of Place project co-ordinated by Creative Health and funded by Arts Council England.

We worked with artists Ben Sadler and Phillip Duckworth of Juneau Projects and Creative Producer Charlie Birtles to deliver a creative wellbeing programme at two community managed libraries, Baswich and Holmcroft, in Stafford.

Ben and Phil facilitated an engaging programme of weekly creative workshops for local residents which explored what they love about where they live, the natural environment on their doorstep and connections with their local heritage.

Groups visited the Museum Collection Stores for inspiration in February 2023, here they are looking at Staffordshire’s earliest photograph.

For initial inspiration, participants took part in a guided tour of the Museum Collection Stores and were introduced to our rich collection of objects spanning over 300 years of Staffordshire history, from toys, games and domestic items to textiles and fine and decorative art.

Images of trees used for inspiration. (Left) (Image courtesy of the Trustees of the William Salt Library) (Right) Staffordshire Archives and Heritage Service

During workshops, participants continued to work from objects in both the museum and library collections to inspire their own work, often taking inspiration from the Staffordshire Views collection of illustrations, watercolours, sketches and print, as well as objects inspired by nature and organic patterns, including ‘The Wayward Turnip’ from Hayward’s Puppet Collection!

Artist Ben Sadler demonstrating a technique to the group at Baswich Library

Juneau Projects encouraged everyone to experiment with a range of techniques and materials from clay modelling and mark making with natural materials, to watercolour painting, printmaking and collage. This selection of work reflects the vibrant and diverse nature of the programme and the creative enthusiasm of everyone taking part. As the project progressed the members of both groups shared conversations, experiences and enjoyment of the different creative tasks they were undertaking. Laughter and chat became part of the weekly sessions as members got to know one another over the art materials and a cup of tea.

Workshop participant creating a print using lino cutting

A highlight was observing the positive change in participants over the duration of each session, any apprehension at the beginning was soon overcome as participant’s took on each challenge and were surprised at the results which established a sense of pride in their work. Participants commented that the sessions gave them ‘a sense of purpose and something to look forward to,’ that they were ‘friendly and inclusive, regardless of talent or ability’ and that ‘it made me feel good about myself and what I had made’.

Lino-cut print artwork based on a 19^th century tile from the collection

The workshops ran between February and April with two taster sessions in January. The project culminated with an exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall where all the regional partners brought their work together to celebrate the A Sense of Place project. A special celebration event was held at Stafford Library in July for the participants to watch the film of the project and to see the exhibition. This was also an opportunity to display some of the work and bring the groups together again. We are planning a second visit to the Museum Collection Stores later this summer.  

The project would not have been possible without the library volunteers at Baswich and Holmcroft libraries and Midlands NHS Partnership Trust who hosted and supported the project throughout.

Helen Johnson – Community Engagement & Partnerships Officer