If you’re looking for low cost, outdoor activities this summer, Art in the Park puts on events and workshops across Sheffield to get the creative juices flowing. Guest blogger, Marishka Van Steenbergen’s been learning more about the art of puppetry with one of their artists, Lois Conlan:
Lois Conlan is a freelance community artist who specialises in puppetry and sculpture. She works with Art in the Park, a community arts charity based in Sheffield. Art in the Park use all sorts of art forms to bring communities together, inspire individuals and increase opportunities for participation. I asked Lois about how she got involved in the charity and about how she makes a living out of puppets and sculpture.
Why puppets?
I used to volunteer at the Little Angel Theatre in London, where I developed a love of puppets and an interest in community-based art. I was so inspired that I decided make my own marionette puppet. One evening I made Ernie out of paper mache and cloth, he was such a success that he soon found himself in a comedy performance at a festival!
How do you make a living out of art?
Well, I once dressed up as Snow White for £60 an hour for a children’s birthday party! It’s a lifestyle choice, you can’t always afford everything you want, but it’s definitely worth the sacrifice.
Volunteering is also a great way to get paid work; even now my volunteering leads to paid jobs. It has taken two years for me to get to the point where I feel confident to now call myself an artist, but its all about persevering and also having a back-up plan if a job falls through.
Did you get your job with Art in the Park by volunteering?
Yes! They offer great training days for volunteers and I also enjoyed the skills shares days, where different artists share their skills with others for free.
Can you tell me more about Art in the Park and what projects you have been involved in?
Art in the Park are very supportive of artists and they are very focused on working together with you and the community.
One of my projects involved working with Parkwood Academy and surrounding junior schools. We worked on a collection of puppetry performances, using photography and shadow puppetry.
We all came together for a celebration day where parents read out poems and the children showcased their puppets and plays. We used a range of paper sculpture techniques to create a large-scale puppet alongside props and a backdrop. Even David Blunkett came to the celebration day!
Where do you get your inspiration?
When working in communities and being surrounded by artists and people who do interesting work. I was also inspired by a lady I met who has set up her own business, its people like this who do things off their own backs that inspire me.
Art in the Park summer calendar
Join in
Art in the Park works with professional artists to provide a range of environmental, creative and community art across the city. If you’d like to join in, as a family, artist or volunteer go to: http://www.artinthepark.org.uk/Start
By Marishka Van Steenbergen