Fragile? Art & Craft Workshops for older people AmgueddfaCymru – National Museum Wales

Fragile? is an exhibition of contemporary ceramics that will open at National Museum Cardiff, from 18 April to 4 October 2015.  Fragile? will showcase the beauty and diversity of contemporary ceramics practice in its widest sense.  It will explore the artistic and expressive possibilities of ceramic as a material, including the contradiction between two of its inherent qualities – durability and fragility.  The exhibition will include key works from the National Museum’s collection, shown alongside excitingnew ceramic installations especially commissioned for this exhibition.  The exhibition will contain a wide variety of objects including tableware, vases, sculptures and figurines, both functional and decorative, simple and ornate, and made of different materials e.g. earthenware and fine china.

Fragile? is generously funded by The Colwinston Charitable Trust and supported by The Derek Williams Trust.  

Wednesday workshops - Free! But please book a place!  

We will be running a series of free workshops for older people from May to September, with activities inspired by the Fragile? exhibition.  All workshops will be on Wednesday afternoons starting at 2pm.  Some workshops will be very hands-on, giving you the opportunity to be creative.  Others will include fascinating demonstrations and the opportunity to engage your senses.  We hope you will find something you like!  All workshops will include a brief tour of part of the Fragile? exhibition, looking at particular ceramics that link to the workshop that day.  You will not be given a full tour of the whole exhibition as it is quite large!  If you would like to view the whole exhibition, please come in plenty of time, and view before the workshop starts at 2pm. Or come back another day and book onto one of our free guided tours!  The workshops will be relaxed and friendly.  No previous experience is required for any of the activities.  Tea and biscuits will be provided and chatting is encouraged!  Some session may be photographed, so that we have a record of our Fragile? activities, but you can always ‘opt out’ of being photographed.

Fragile?  Wednesday workshop schedule 20 May – Creative Writing Workshop. 2-4pm. 10 places.

Taking inspiration from the ‘Fragile?’ exhibition, writer and arts facilitator Patrick Jones will offer you the opportunity to create a piece of poetry or prose based on your own experience.  Starting from your own favourite object or place the session will guide you through the writing process to explore your own narrative and stories.  A fun, informal and friendly session leading to a completed work you can call your own.

3 June – Pottery Painting. 2-4.30pm. 15 places.

Join us for a pottery painting workshop led by Fi Jefferies, artist at Barefoot Ceramics.  Starting with a look at the Fragile? exhibition, use ceramic paints and glazes on functional bisque to decorate your own teacup, mug or plate.  Your masterpiece will be fired and ready to collect two weeks later.  Part of this session may be photographed or filmed.

17 June – Cardiff Ceramic Wall Tiles. 2-4pm. 10 places.

Join us for a discussion about the beautiful ceramic tiled doorways of Cardiff’s Victorian and Edwardian houses, followed by the opportunity to explore and touch the different materials and textures of ceramic tiles.  In this workshop, led by ceramics students from Cardiff Metropolitan University, you can decorate your own ceramic tile, which they will fire for you to be picked up at a later date.  Part of this session may be photographed or filmed.

1 July – Texture and Pattern in Clay. 2-4.30pm. 10 places.

In this workshop, led by Art therapist Ursula Wimhurst, you will learn how to create your own ceramic pot or bowl inspired by some of the delicate hand built forms found in this exhibition.  You can also discover how to add texture and pattern to the clay surface based on some of the fragile patterns that can be found in nature.

15 July – Printmaking Workshop: Monoprinting. 2-4pm.10 places.

This introductory workshop will show you how to create one-off prints using a combination of painting and printmaking techniques.  The variety of mediums, papers, tools and transfer methods you choose will encourage you to collage and combine different materials and techniques.  The workshop will take inspiration from colours and patterns found in the Fragile? exhibition and will beled by artist Anne Gibbs.

29 July – Clay Pots for Beginners. 2-4pm.10 places.

In this ‘hands-on’ workshop, led by staff from National Museum Cardiff, we will be making simple coil pots or pinch pots out of air-drying clay.  No previous knowledge required - as with all these workshops, complete beginners are completely welcome!  You can take your pot home on the day, or leave it to become part of a display here at the Museum.  Part of this session may be photographed or filmed.

2 September – Teacups & Memories. 2-4pm.10 places.

An engaging multisensory session suitable for older people with Dementia.  Different ceramic items will be available to handle, discuss and as a base for reminiscence.  You can also make a clay pot, and smell and try different kinds of tea.   A family member, friend or helper is very welcome to attend with you.

16 September – Tea and the Spice Trade Sensory Talk. 2-4pm. 15 places.

A multisensory talk and handling session led by Archaeologist and Historian Sally Pointer.  This session will explore the stories and smells of the tea and spice trade.  It will also offer you the opportunity to create a unique scented pot-pourri in a bone china tea-cup to take home.

Please phone to book a place: 02920 573240

These workshops for older people are FREE but booking is essential. Please chose which workshop you would like to attend then give us a call! You can book a maximum of three workshops.

How to find us& Accessibility

Location
National Museum Cardiff
Cathays Park
Cardiff
CF10 3NP

By Foot
The Museum is 20 minutes walk from Cardiff Central Bus and Train Station.

By Car
For satnav use the postcode CF10 3NP.

A visitor car park is situated at the rear of the Museum, accessed via Museum Avenue. Parking tokens to exit the car park are available for £5 from the shop in the Main Hall.

There are designated parking bays for Blue Badge holders in the visitor car park. Blue Badge holders are entitled to FREE parking - please take your blue badge to the Museum shop to obtain your free exit token. There is a level access path to and from the Visitor Car Park via Park Place and Museum Avenue.There are also designated disabled parking bays in front of Museum on Gorsedd Gardens Road.
For workshop participants we may also have some parking spaces available at the rear entrance of the museum. These must be booked in advance, please enquire when booking.

By Bus
From Cardiff Central Bus Station take bus number 53 or 85 to the Museum. From Cardiff Bay take the Bay Car bus number 6. You can plan your journey using the TravelineCymru website or by calling their helpline on 0871 200 22 33 (calls charged at 10p per minute from a land line).

By Train
The nearest train station is Cathays Station, approximately 5 minutes walk from the Museum. For train travel information please visit National Rail Enquiries website.The TravelineCymru helpline (0871 200 22 33) can also assist you with rail enquiries.

If you have considered all the above and are still experiencing difficulty getting here please let us know when you call! We may be able to arrange individual transport to some of our sessions if you have difficulty getting out and about.

Wheelchair access
The entrance to the Museum for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs is via a self-operated glass lift to the right of the front steps of the Museum. In the event that this lift is out of order, alternative access is available at the gate to the left of the Museum steps by pressing the intercom for assistance.

There is wheelchair accessto all galleries. Most galleries can be visited independently, but lifts to some galleries must be operated by a Museum Assistant for security reasons. Museum staff are nearby to help.

The Museum Shop, Coffee Shop and Oriel Restaurant are accessible to wheelchair users.

Wheelchairs and seating available
Four wheelchairs and six mobile seating sticks are available on loan from the Information desk on request.

A variety of seating is available throughout the Museum.

Toilets
Accessible toilets are situated in the Oriel Restaurant and by the art galleries. The Fragile? exhibition and workshops are located close to the art gallery disabled access toilets.