COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION PROJECTS:

I passionately believe in the well-being benefits of pottery and all art forms, and believe access to art and culture and the ability to express ourselves creatively vital. I would love to support your community art project, I provide all the equipment and materials, knowledge and skills and unconditional positive regard. Please get in touch.

I have worked with several community groups on socially engaged practice or social prescribing by the NHS, including: Artlink in Hull; Absolutely Cultured; Townend Court NHS in Hull; SHOUT Youth Group @ The Warren, Hull; Starlight Arts in Scunthorpe; Bricktree Gallery Makers in Caistor; and 20-21 Visual Arts Centre. Please see below for some examples;

Perches and Flyways, Creative Connections Artists with Jen Holtridge, Juneau Projects, ARTLINK HULL & Absolutely cultured

20 October 2023 – 21 January 2024. Space 1, Humber Street Gallery

Perches and Flyways was a new exhibition that shined a light on bird species that are becoming rare in the Humber’s environment, alongside more common varieties. The local Humber Estuary has international significance for birds. The expansive wetlands which line the shore provide a critical stopover site for migratory birds traveling between breeding grounds. Each year, over ten million leave northern Europe and the Arctic seeking warmer skies in Western Europe and Africa via Hull on a route termed the East Atlantic Flyway.

Run by Artlink Hull, Creative Connections is an ongoing series of workshops pairing local artists with Disabled communities to explore creative processes and improve wellbeing. Artist duo Juneau Projects were commissioned by Absolutely Cultured to explore this flyway and to work with Creative Connections and ceramicist Jennifer Holtridge to create delicate birds representing these endangered animals.

The ceramic creations inspired by these bird breeds were central to the installation and formed part of an engaging display showcasing the species within depictions of their habitats. The artists in this exhibition were: Lynda, Lesley, James, Shirley, Jess, Emily, Suzella, Anthony, Jess, Bill, Jen and Juneau Projects.

For more information please visit: Perches and Flyways, Creative Connections Artists with Jennifer Holtridge and Juneau Projects - Absolutely Cultured

‘Pushing the Boundaries, Breaking the Mould’ a community participation exhibition

8 october 2022 to 21 january 2023, 20-21 visual arts centre.

Pushing the Boundaries, Breaking the Mould is a follow-up project to last year’s successful ‘Legendaries’ exhibition, in which a group of adults with disabilities created ceramic artworks, inspired by objects from the North Lincolnshire Museum collection. This year, members of the group, joined participants in our regular Get Crafty sessions, to explore different mediums and materials, and to learn new skills through a series of artist-led making sessions.

They spoke of how they all felt challenged by the experience, and most felt a sense of pride in achieving things they did not know they were capable of. They enjoyed the sense of community and friendship, and the collaborative nature of some of the artworks, particularly the murals. There was a sense for growth and expansion in the sessions.

In one of the sessions the group decided on a title for the exhibition, and chose words that best described their experiences of it. They have chosen to show these words as vinyl texts throughout the gallery, connecting the different types of artwork in different areas.

Artworks in this exhibition:
Andrew Beech, Angela Coulson, Beth Peach, Clare Brewerton, Jenny Clements, Jessica Barnes, Lisa Batchelor, Paul Gooch, Sheryl Leedham, Sophie Ashcroft, Tanya Burfield, Amy Sirotkin

for more information please visit: http://www.2021visualartscentre.co.uk/exhibitions/pushing-the-boundaries-breaking-the-mould/

‘Creative Connections’ project (art on prescription) a lockdown project based at NHS Townend Court Mental Health Hospital.

2021. Artlink Hull

Project- working with a group of three patients to build confidence and creativity using clay. six sessions were held focussing on well-being in August 2021 learning foundation skills in clay construction to allow personal development and provide a grounding of knowledge for future growth.

“The pieces of work that the patients were able to create with the direction of Jen was amazing and our patients have had the opportunity to learn new skills and develop an interest in their creative side. The groups were always excitedly anticipated, and everyone looked forward to learning and seeing Jen. As well as the therapeutic aspects of working with clay, many of our patients and supporting staff also benefited from the sensory tactility of the sessions, with the benefit of seeing their completed and finished work”.

Community Participation project at 20-21 Visual Arts Centre, entitled ‘Legendaries’ 2021

Project- a six week long project working with a group of adults with disabilities to create and curate an exhibition of ceramics.

Participants attended a series of six workshops covering techniques including design, slab building, surface design techniques and glazing, exhibition curation and design, as well as researching ceramics that tell a story in the North Lincolnshire Museum collection and their heritage. The group then curated the exhibition and installed it at 20-21.

For more information please visit: http://www.2021visualartscentre.co.uk/exhibitions/Legendaries/

Please contact me if you would like to talk about a project.