Community Outreach During 'Declarative Language' Curated by Kelly Jessiman and Alexis Soul-Gray
About the project
Declarative Language brought together artists whose practices have been shaped by sustained caregiving within families of neurodivergent children, exploring how these lived conditions transform the process and language of making.
During the exhibition, 31 year 5 students and two teachers from Mulberry Baird Primary School were welcomed into the gallery for a facilitated creative session.
The Schools Outreach session was supported by Chalk Cliff Trust.
Impact at a glance
31 local children took part in a dedicated creative outreach session
300+ visitors attended the public opening for free
Projects, activities and impact
During the exhibition, 31 Year 5 students and three teachers from Mulberry Baird Primary School were welcomed into the gallery for a facilitated creative session. Children encountered contemporary art, met exhibiting artist and exhibition curator, Kelly Jessiman, and heard about how she expresses her emotions on the surface of her ceramics. They were invited to express their own feelings on the surface of terracotta tiles using oil pastels and charcoal.
The evaluation recorded increased confidence, experimentation, resilience through trial and error, and a growing sense of belonging within a fine-art environment.
Adult supervisor
The children were so calm and engaged. They really listened to Kelly and the highlight was really seeing all their work displayed as part of the exhibition at the end.
Child
It was interesting to meet Kelly and hear how she draws on the pots to let out her feelings. It was fun to make a tile that will cheer me up when I am feeling sad.
Child
I liked drawing on the tiles and being at Amici Studio. I am autistic and I liked seeing how the artist finds it hard to look after her kids but is ok because she can make art.