The weekend was spent submerged with 15 other selected artists in fascinating debate around socially-engaged art, public projects, community-based workshops and educational events. The weekend's focus was centred around Get the Message, an educational outreach programme at Camden Arts Centre. Get the Message is a collaboration with students from three Special Educational Needs schools in the local area who have multiple and complex learning disabilities.
Artists Natasha Kidd, Raine Smith and Jo Addison are mentors for Get the Message, and have been involved with the programme for 7 years, with the last three as mentors to artists Georgie Manly and Judith Brocklehurst.
The weekend was spent dissecting socially-engaged practice, analysing and discussing what we found before reassembling the parts in the form of collaborative workshops which responded to Zoe Leonard's current exhibition at CAC Observation Point.
The challenges and discussions which arose were reassuringly shared and it felt that, as a group of freelance artists, we all cherished the opportunity to openly raise our concerns, opinions, challenges and successes. The energy in the room was almost audibly buzzing, as we bounced ideas off each other and responded to our briefings from Natasha, Raine and Jo with a positivity and enthusiasm which can only come about through shared passion.
It was a fantastic weekend, and I have returned full of fresh ideas and renewed confidence in existing ones. A brilliant two days in Camden.
Read more about Get the Message here.
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