I was recently selected to take part on Creative Catalysts Initiative (CCI), organised by The Craft Council, Creative Partnerships and Creativity Culture and Education. The idea behind the initiative was to encourage partnership between professional creative practitioners (both arts and crafts) and schools. 10 practitioners paired up with various schools and collaborated with them to deliver a project aimed at encouraging creativity in school children and inspiring teachers . I worked with a reception group of children in a school based in Birmingham.
The project I worked on was ‘Mythical Creatures in Fantasy Landscapes’. I worked with the children over 6 days, firstly I wanted to gauge the children abilities then I introduced the project. I worked with various size groups depending if we were drawing or using clay. The results were exciting and I felt so inspired by the children enthusiasm and ideas.
This life changing experience has led to an interest in the study of Pedagogy and creative development in children’s early years. I am particularly inspired by the Reggio Emilia methodology and I believe I can use this approach to unlock creativity in various age groups.
Working with children has the ability to free up my own creativity and I am looking forward to a period of just being and playing with my materials. I had deep respect for the teachers at the school and really appreciated the time and support given to my project.
I would like to continue to work with educational establishments and individuals to encourage, explore and nurture people, children and organisations so that they have the opportunity to fulfil their potentials.
I would be really interested in discussing projects and ideas with you so please contact me if you are interested in working with me to unlock creativity individually or as a group.
Hello there Kellie,
I am also an Early Years teacher school in Birmingham. I heard about the fabulous work and what you have been doing with the children at Colmore. Which sounded very inspirational. I just wanted to say having viewed your work on your excellent web site I am as enamoured.
I love the soft complementary colours that you use and the curious way cartography is used to see our wonderful landscapes from another point of view. It’s like when you are returning from holiday by plane and you are able to view from above and fully appreciate the glory of the patchwork land below.
I am glad that you have been bit by the Reggio bug- it’s not hard to be drawn into this style of pedagogy once you start.
Once again, your work is sublime and I hope one day we are lucky enough to work with such an artist as yourself