Infinite Arts – Art Workshops North East

Overview

I am a visual artist and I work with people of all ages including early years. I often make kites and banners and things related to the wind. I am particularly interested in working outside with children using natural materials, developing scientific and philosophical theories as we go along. I would like to see how much of the curriculum can be delivered through digging a hole and filling it in again!

My arts skills include silk painting, kite making, video, digital art, using recycled materials and installation, but I also make bread and dig allotments and light fires and feel that these skills are just as applicable in supporting the school curriculum and learning at all ages. I run training sessions for teachers as well as activity based workshops for children. Each of these can be designed to suit the needs of the particular group.

Experience

As an artist I run workshops in a variety of different visual art based activities – silk painting, banner making, fire-lighting, willow plating, mural painting, sand sculpture, bridge building and kite making. Through Infinite Arts I can bring in a team of artist as required.

Kite-making
I am a kite maker with an international reputation who receives invitations to kite festivals in other countries. In the UK I run kite-making workshops in schools involving all ages and covering various aspects of the curriculum. Kites can cross the divide between arts and science. They can support the teaching of mathematics and can help introduce the history and geography of other countries and other cultures. Kites can be the channel for learning and communication between different ages and different cultures. There is opportunity for action research alongside traditional research and study of the subject. Much of the learning can take place out of doors and it will have happened before the learners have realised they are learning. In a recent project in New Hartley First School,

Silk Painting
I work with pupils to make banners, bunting and other items using silk, china silk and silk paints. I focus on ‘design to production’ encouraging pupils to work and rework their ideas before final production, to collaborate and to be critical of their own work.

Fire project
Working as artist in Residence in Peases West Primary School, I worked with each class to design, build and light fires. Pupils thought about safety, explored different materials and documented their results using photography and video.

Testimonials

“It was so wonderful for the children to be able to make something and see it fly. Children were so engaged from the very beginning. They were fascinated that their own creations flew so well. 60 children running excitedly onto our field with a kite in their hand made the entire school stop and stare. The children were talking about it for weeks!” Gwen McCormack, Heavers Farm primary school, Croydon

“Pauline Taylor & Infinite Arts have provided an excellent service with integrity and depth. I would not hesitate in confirming their capacity and ability to perform to a very high standard, undertaken with flair and expertise.” Pauline Moger