Let’s Make Art Celebrate the Archives
“ENJOY YOURSELF” is an exhibition of a collection projects from Arnolfini’s archives. Our Creatives in Residence, Let’s Make Art run by artist duo Alice Hendy and Karen Davies, have selected works which chime with their own practice and explore the themes of Joy, Collaboration and Making Meaning. This exhibition weaves together past and present through archive materials that highlight innovative and experimental art education and artworks that illuminate all the brilliant work Let’s Make Art deliver as part of our family programme at Arnolfini and beyond.
Expect to smile a lot.
We’d like to thank all staff who have worked in Education, Participation and Engagement Arnolfini since 1976 to the present: Gail Gibson, Katy Macleod, Jenny Lockwood, Anthea Nicholson, Jeanette McSkimming, Lindsey Fryer, Frances Bossom, Michael Prior, Leiza McLeod, Lindsay Hughes, Beth Alden, Helen Davies, Kate Tiernan, Gil Nicol, Helen Davies, Christine Atha, Nik Slade, Helen Davies, Eleanor Jeffs, Ben Thomas, Clare Karslake, Letty Clarke, Kirtis Clarke, Lukus Robbins, Ellen Pye, Keiko Higashi, Kiara Corales, Fisayo Ademiluyi and Eleanor Sanghara-Gustard.
ENJOY YOURSELF
“If you ask, ‘What do people want?’ the answer, as we would all say if we’re honest with ourselves, is that we want the familiar; something that doesn’t challenge our perceptions. Arnolfini is about challenging perceptions”. Thus wrote Jeremy Rees, Arnolfini’s founding Director. This challenge was never regarded as a dry endeavour for a select few – rather, it was something to enliven, to relish, an exciting and potentially life-changing offer for the broadest of possible audiences. Rees said he had wanted to put an inscription above the door; ‘Enjoy yourself!’ We’re delighted to have added that to the entrance for all to see when they come into Arnolfini’s home at Bush House.
About Let’s Make Art
Alice and Karen’s shared passion for providing the highest quality art education has been driving them over the last decade and has led them to a partnership with Arnolfini. The partnership enriches the way Let’s Make Art works through working with the whole gallery community. This immersion and inclusion in the shape of each exhibition is key to Alice and Karen being able to find meaningful ways of inviting children and their families to engage with the main themes in the exhibitions.
As well as organising their own events, they have worked with many like-minded organisations and artists to deliver inspiring and inventive art projects to a diverse range of audiences. These collaborations have given them the opportunity to develop contemporary ways for children and grown-ups to express their creativity. www.instagram.com/letsmakeartuk
Image credits: Saturday Art Club. Courtesy of Bristol Archives.
