Autumn Art at the Shipley Art Gallery

Autumn has officially arrived, with Halloween and Bonfire Night already behind us.

The clocks have gone back – and with England in a second national lockdown, there’s never been a better time to snuggle up and indulge your creativity.

Creating Autumn Art

I’m delighted to be one of the artists involved in the creation of two Autumn Art packs – one for adults, one for families – for the Shipley Art Gallery in Gateshead.

Hundreds of them have been sent out into the community, complete with materials, thanks to the support of the People’s Postcode Lottery.

The booklets are also available to download from the Shipley Art Gallery website here.

Each pack contains several activities to help you de-stress and realise your creative potential, with five north east artists lending their expertise.

As well as myself, there’s mixed media textile artist Deb Cooper, artist Jayamini de Silva, artist Marian Hernandez Villada and papercutting designer Keely Pearce.

Although we are currently unable to run in-person workshops in the gallery at the moment, this is the next best thing!

Activities inspired by the Shipley collection

Kerry Cook, arts participation/project co-ordinator at the Shipley Art Gallery, said: “These booklets have been created with the Shipley team and local artists and arts practitioners from across the north east of England.

“We have taken inspiration from the varied and unique collection at the Shipley. We hope that you find this resource a useful aid to relaxation and an effective tool to enable you to develop your creativity and try something new.”

In the adult art pack, aimed at those aged 16 and above, you can try pencil calligraphy with me, slow stitching with Deb, origami paper flowers with Jayamini, a watercolour still life with Marian and a papercut woodland scene with Keely.

In the families pack, you can create a decorated letter with me, an autumn hanger with Deb, a Mexican ‘God’s Eye’ craft with Jayamini, an autumn leaves collage and/or wreath with Marian and a leaf garland with Keely.

Both packs encourage people to explore the outdoors, collecting objects from the beach, garden and countryside along the way, to create a nature display.

Kerry added: “Autumn is a season of change and reflection. As the nights grow darker and nature transforms all around us, it is a season to take time to be creative. Being creative is important for our relaxation and concentration.”

I can’t wait to see what people create – make sure you share your work on social media and tag the Shipley Art Gallery and the artists involved.