Research and Development
Application
My Artistic Practice
Paper Installations for Cultural Venues
Pandemic Installation, ‘Same Storm, Different Boat’ Commissioned by Rheged Gallery
Close up - ‘Same Storm, Different Boat’, Commissioned by Rheged Gallery
Close Up ‘Unearthed’ - Commissioned by Lakeland Arts
I have a socially engaged art practise creating large scale participatory artwork. My practice in large scale paper installations has grown from years of working on commissions for galleries, museums and historic houses.
I have a solid track record of working with many cultural venues and organisations to include The National Trust, Lowther Castle, Rheged Gallery and Lakeland Arts.
In 2021, I was awarded an open call commission by Rheged Gallery to create an interactive installation for the exhibition ‘Through the Locking Glass’ which explored the experiences of the pandemic of people living in Cumbria. The work was created in response from an online survey filled in by the public and visitors to the gallery. People could also add their experience to a communal frieze that evolved over the duration of the exhibition.
The exhibtion was well attended by the public and the installtion enabled me to reconnect with an audience after lockdown. It had a high level of engagement with hundreds of people added to the work. It was described as playful, beautiful and moving.
In 2022 I was commissioned by Lakeland Arts to create an installation for Blackwell, The Arts and Craft House. The work was produced with a range of local community groups such as youth groups, college students, local refugees a mental health charity and woman’s refuge, incorporating their stories and lived experiences into the work.
The exhibition ‘Unearthed’ (January - May 2023) uncovered narratives of local Cumbrian women whose stories have often been overlooked, encouraging community dialogue around collective remembering.
‘The feedback we had from the exhibition was some of the most positive we have had in recent years, with many visitors describing Amy’s work as a moving experience. As an artist and facilitator, Amy is able to bring the stories of the groups she works with to life in a rich and compelling way. She was an excellent fit for the commission.’ Naomi Gariff, Programme Curator, Lakeland Arts.
I hope to build on my experience of creating participatory art work for indoor venues to outdoor settings. Expanding on different methods of co-creating with community groups.
Giant Puppets and lanterns for Festivals and Parades
My artistic practice took a new direction in 2023, when I took part in a local lantern parade, creating small lanterns with the local community for Kendal Torchlight Festival. This inspired me to attend a course with Andrew Kim creating large scale puppets.
Since then I have created four giant puppets with the skills I learnt which I have performed in various outdoor parade including Kendal Torchlight, Kendal Mountain Festival and the Kendal Christmas light switch on. The reception of this work was well received by large crowds yet I feel I could develop my skills in lots of areas, including the design, making and performing of the work particulary to engage more effectively with my audience. The research and development funding would also allow me to learn how to build participation into the creation and delivery of work.
The Knotted Project
The Knotted Project is a socially driven theatre company working with and for young people. Central to their work is co-creation, collaborating closely with the community ensuring a high level of ownership and reflecting real experiences and authentic voices. Directors Simon and Natalie both have vast experience as advisors and producers, supporting the development of socially engaged projects.
Ragtag Arts
Ragtag Arts is a community arts organisation in Kendal, committed to promoting and facilitating sustainable actions, with a focus on reducing and reusing waste.
From running the community scrapstore and working in partnership with sustainable providers, with an extensive workshop program in schools and at events and festivals.
Equal opportunities and accessibility is a key part of their organisation. Aiming to be inclusive, supporting and empowering people of all ages and abilities.
Andrew Kim (Thingumajig Theatre)
Andrew Kim (Puppet and Mask Maker, Performer and Director) has created and performed puppet and mask plays, parades and events for over 30 years. He is the co director of Thingumajig Theatre and founder and former Artistic Director of the Hebden Bridge Handmade Paradeand the Todmorden Lamplighter Festival.
Andrew started with In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre in Minneapolis where he spent 10 years learning all elements of making, performing and directing puppet plays, parades and large-scale spectacles.
He also teaches giant puppet and lantern puppet workshops where he builds one or two new giants with up to a dozen artists in two weeks.
Becca Ellson
Becca has 30 years experience in production and development across UK film and TV, with over 30 screen credits, including multiple BAFTA, Academy Award and Cannes nominated shorts and features. She has a history of championing diversity through BFI funded talent schemes such as BFI Shorts and Guiding Lights. .
Becca has been a Screenwriting and Film Production tutor in FE and HE, as well as leading courses and workshops for adults of all abilities. She has been a Creative Learning manager, a Youth Music Project Manager and a development consultant across artforms in collaborations with artists such as Sarah Nicholls and Amy Williams. Becca is now based in Cumbria where her production and development company Hearts & Bones nurtures a select roster of artists, musicians, writers and events.
Emily Hennessey (Stealing Thunder)
Emily is a dynamic performance storyteller often found wielding a stick and stamping her feet as she embraces epics, myths, wondertales and folktales from across the world.
Emily has performed in theatres, arts centres and at festivals from Iceland to India, and closer to home at the Southbank Centre, Soho Theatre and British Museum. She lives in the Lake District with her husband, storyteller and musician, Nick Hennesssey. Together they run Stealing Thunder and host the Sterling Thunder Story Telling Festival .
Mentors, Advisors and Tutors
Kendal Mountain Festival
Kendal Mountain Festival is an annual event held in November in Kendal, Cumbria. It celebrates outdoor and adventure culture with a diverse programme of films, talks, workshops and other events.
Kendal Torchlight
The Kendal Torchlight Carnival is a historic (in its 56th year) community celebration in Kendal, Cumbria, featuring a daytime street festival and a massive evening lantern procession.
The Street Festival includes craft stalls, live music on two stages, street theatre, and creative workshops
Torchlight Procession, a walking parade featuring local schools, businesses, and clubs
Stealing Thunder Storytelling Festival
The Stealing Thunder Storytelling Festival is known for its immersive atmosphere and world-class performance storytelling
The festival is curated by storytellers Emily and Nick Hennesand features contemporary performances of myths, legends, and fairytales, often aimed at "grown-ups" but with dedicated "Myths for Kids" programming
The main festival operates on a biennial schedule.
Kendal Nature Recovery Festival
The Kendal Nature Recovery Festival is an annual community event dedicated to celebrating local wildlife and promoting sustainability. Organized by Natural Kendal, it features a variety of free activities including hands-on workshops, expert-led talks, and guided nature walk
Appleby Road Community Garden (ARCG)
Appleby Road Community Garden (ARCG) is an organic community space in Kendal located on the grounds of The Queen Katherine School
Established in 2010, it serves as a hub for education, social prescribing, sustainable gardening, and local volunteering.
Community groups
As part of my development I hope to work with a number of different groups in Kendal to inform how to work more effectively with a wide range of the community and making my practice more inclusive.
One Group I will be working with is Common Space, Common Humanity, a Kendal based charity supporting refugees settle and integrate into the local community. Many of the families are from Syria and Afghanistan. I have been volunteering with this organisation for 7 years and have strong relationships with in the group.
