AIR Gallery is a not-for-profit contemporary gallery; whose aim is to provide opportunities for emerging and early career artists, including those with disabilities.
We would like to set up a grass-roots scheme where we can provide classes, workshops and exhibition opportunities for students studying art at school, college and foundation level.
'Walk the Line' will be the first of a series of workshops we would like to host. The concept is to provide an extended workshop with a professional in the field and then showcase the results in a 4 week exhibition. We have chosen 'drawing' for our first workshop as it is the usual starting point when creating a work of art.
The outcome is to enable students to think different about drawing, going beyond the realms of the pencil. Our aim is that each student will gain new skills and learn new techniques whilst expanding their portfolio. The resulting exhibition will help them gain confidence in their artwork and artistic ability.
What we'll deliver:
- Hire a skilled professional in the field to run the workshop
- Showcase the resulting work in a 4 week exhibition to enhance the confidence of the students involved.
- Offer onsite training and skills development
- Provide education resources
- Run a two day workshop, where students will create a series of 3D and 2D artworks
Why it's a great idea:
Creating an opportunity like this will enable participants a unique chance to not only create work in a studio environment surrounded by professional artists, but will also give them increased self confidence through having their work seen by the public in a gallery. By having this opportunity open to all 16-25's, regardless of disability, we want to create greater equality in the arts and in education.
This workshop will be a great way for the participants to develop their observational skills through structured drawing activities and they will gain increased skills development by learning new types of drawing techniques. We hope that the experience they gain from participating will help them further their artistic career, including creating work to exhibition standards.
By working alongside professionals in the field, it highlights that art can be a career option and showcases the ways the arts can be used to enhance the community & provide local impact.
Steps to get it done:
- Deliver Workshop
- Enrol students onto workshop
- Hire Artist
- Install Exhibition
- Source Equipment and Materials
We are hoping that this will be the first of a biannual project that will take place in October and April each year. Our October project will coincide with the Big Draw and our April project will be taking place during Autism awareness month where we will be hosting a class specifically for those on the spectrum.
