Green Roof Planting Workshop with Crisis

Just before Easter I was very fortunate to spend an afternoon gardening with a lovely team from Crisis. We were planting the trays that will become the green roof on the Shed Space exhibition. 

First we prepared the trays with drainage material and soil. A range of flowers and grass where then planted in the trays before placing them on the terrace where we hope they will flourish!  

When the exhibition is installed in May the trays will be moved downstairs to the gallery and positioned on the roof of the shed. The effect - we hope - will be crazy wildflower and grass roof that will inspire any passing bee, butterfly or gallery visitor. 

A VERY big thank you to everyone who came to the workshop! I look forward to seeing you all again soon. 

NOW GROW LITTLE PLANTS.... GROW!     

Exhibition artists announced!

We're delighted to announce that all the artists taking up residency in the Shed Space exhibition have been confirmed!

The shed installation in the Gallery will become a 'making space', where members of the public can come in on a Friday or Saturday to see a designer-maker at work on their specialist craft. Each artist will also run a £5 workshop on their Saturday, when anyone can have a go.

More information on each artist will come, but for now...

Cathy Miles: Fri 20 – Sat 21 May. Cathy uses wire as a medium to ‘draw’ with, creating remarkable portraits of everyday objects. Click here for her workshop.

Daisy Webb: Fri 27 – Sat 28 May. Daisy will produce a series of illustrations which consider the identity of sheds as both domestic and natural. Click here for her workshop.

Felicity Ford (aka Felix): Fri 3 – Sat 4 June. Felix explores fabric-covered buttons and badges as expressive sites of meaning. Click here for her workshop.

Rycote13 (from Rycotewood Furniture Centre): Fri 10 – Sat 11 June. Young furniture makers Jan Waterston, Sam Bolt and Freya Whamond will be providing and insight into the workshop of a designer maker. Click here for their workshop.

Katherine Pogson: Fri 17 – Sat 18 June. Katherine works with leather, and will continue her current project, exploring how objects can connect the user with nature. Click here for her workshop.

Lucy Brown: Fri 24 – Sat 25 June. Somewhere in the Gallery, Lucy will use second-hand clothing and textiles to create a visual response to the exhibition. Click here for her workshop.

Sherry Doyal: Fri 1 – Sat 2 July. Artist and basketmaker Sherry will work on a collection inspired by Charles Darwin’s orchid research. Click here for her workshop.

Recycle and reuse!

Oxford Brookes' George Williams crafting his shed

Ideas for fantastic sheds are flowing. From red sheds to wicker sheds the Shed Space architectural model is taking shape. Working with art and architecture students from Oxford Brookes University, there are some great ideas being bounced around. George Williams (pictured) is making his 'bicycle repair shed' from recycled bike parts including old bike tyres, spokes and cogs. He says:

"My shed will be an expression of found materials, such as those found in “real” sheds, yet re-purposed to make a beautiful object. By using recycled and found materials, I am highlighting creative re-use opportunities that can be achieved, rather than simply disposing of useless objects."

Exciting times!