Workshops @ Vision Youth Cafe

Pedestrian Tutors were at Vision Youth Cafe, Towcester, last Friday engaging 11-16 year olds with fun drop in workshops. Gra Roberts and Jamie Copper shared their skills in Music Production, DJing and Turntablism.

Gra said, "It was a really good insight into the facility the vision cafe offers to its community. The workshop was a delight to deliver! The young people attending were all really interested and inquisitve to learn more and more!"

Several had a go at DJing, whilst their mates learnt some break dance moves taught by Pedestrian tutor David Barker. A great time was had by all!  

Pedestrian have delivered workshops before at Vision Youth Cafe, which aims to give young people somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to. We really enjoyed working at the centre again and hope to be back there soon! 

New Member Of The Team . . .

Maisie Bamford applied to be a Gallery Host in January 2012.  After a successful start she's now firmly in the Gallery calendar as our Wednesday Host alongside Leah Wright.  We asked her to write a few words about what she's been up to so far . . .

"I have been a Gallery Host at the Pedestrian Gallery for a couple of weeks now.  I applied for the position in order to gain experience working in a creative environment. I am currently studying History of Art at the University of Leicester so the position is a really good way for me to get involved in local art.
 
As a Host I welcome visitors when they arrive and answer any questions they have about the artists/art work (sometimes they just want a chat!). So far I have mainly worked alongside some of the other hosts; Kate and Leah, which is great as they have shown me the ropes and have been really helpful as I haven’t worked in a gallery before.
 
I am thoroughly enjoying working in the gallery so far and I hope that I can become more involved in Pedestrian as I gain more experience. Volunteering here has inspired me to research and visit other local galleries, there’s a lot more than you think! I am having a brilliant time here at Pedestrian and I am really starting to feel like part of the team. I would definitely encourage other people who have an interest in art to get involved and volunteer!"

A Post From The Host!

Hannah Baker is one of our Gallery Host and has been with us since the beginning of December. Here's a snapshot of what she's been up to so far...

'When I first started as a gallery host my main aim was to get back into the art world after graduating from a Fine Art Degree a few months earlier. Having been away from Leicester while at university I was keen to find out more about what was happening locally and the Gallery Host position seemed like a perfect opportunity for me to do this while gaining some valuable experience.

My role at the gallery involves greeting visitors when they come in and talking to them about the work on display. I take photographs of the exhibitions for the website and write updates about what’s going on.  I also undertake various tasks to aid the administation of the gallery too. I have also been lucky in that Tuesday (the day I work in the gallery) is often the day artists install their work, so I am able to meet them and assist with the installation. With there being a different exhibition every week I have met a wide variety of people showing very different work, which has been a great experience in itself. I have also enjoyed meeting and sharing experiences with my fellow gallery hosts.

Now I have been here for two months I feel more of a part of Pedestrian. As a Gallery Host you are technically the face of the gallery and often the first point of contact with the public. I would say that I am now more aware of the importance of this and aim to make my involvement more proactive. I am looking forward to continuing my time at Pedestrian and hope to see you on a Tuesday!'

ON AIR with Moat Radio, Pedestrian & Jay Dormer of Heart FM

Young people from Moat Community College presented and produced in school radio programmes, complete with advertising, as part of an innovative and creative learning programme encouraging listening, speaking and literacy.

A cohort of students under the expert guidance of Heart FM producer and Pedestrian Tutor Jay Dormer completed the sessions in December 2011. Students were given the freedom to make shows about issues that interested them. They chose to address the vexing issue of differences in learning between adolescent girls and boys. They interviewed a number of their teachers, resulting in interesting shows.

"…a tremendous success, the students excelled themselves in producing and presenting really interesting shows…" said  Simon Patch from Pedestrian. 

Pedestrian will be repeating the popular and successful Moat Radio at Moat Community College later this year.

'Creative Enterprise' students and tutors working hard!

Tutor: Jo Lees

Since term started on the 5^th September we have seen the interest of the young people blossom. 

In the past few months the tutors have worked hard to show the young people that their work could be a blueprint for their actual reality. Many of the young people are quite business minded and tutors are continuing to illustrate how their hobbies and interests can be developed into a profitable outcome. This course includes developing an understanding communication and the way the existing market works which tutors try to keep as fun and creative as possible, from following the young apprentice to developing business plans to sell T shirts. We are hoping to continue this learning process so they can use these transferrable skills in the future.

One of the students has set up a blog, which is work progress.  Take a look.... http://salondebeaute.wordpress.com/