Developed with support from public funding by Department of Culture, Media and Sport. We spent March, April and May 2021 exploring creative ways to address loneliness and social isolation resulting from the impact of Covid-19.
We threw the obvious title “The Loneliness Project” out the window. After a year of near-constant lockdown we felt it was important to offer people a more positive outlook. How could we help people break out of their ‘bubbles’ in a fun, colourful and positive manner?
After not been able to see or touch their families and friends for a year people needed a sense of real connection. What better way to make meaningful contact than with the simple forgotten Art of Writing? In a world of mobile phones, email, text and WhatsApp, how many of us take the time to put a pen to paper?
The #See You Soon pack of postcards was designed to encourage people to send creative messages and ideas to family members, friends and neighbours.
We took time to have our now familiar “creative conversations” with a diverse range of contacts who are working with families, seniors, young people and people who are experiencing isolation across Fenland and West Suffolk. We worked with community leaders and creative practitioners who understood how their localities and neighbourhoods had been affected by the pandemic.
Connecting is what #See You Soon was all about – making a move to do something positive. Smile, Reach Out & Say Hello! Our new See You Soon section of the website is coming soon!
Watch the Spell for Understanding video presented by Centre 33.
A SPELL FOR STANDING IN ANOTHER’S SHOES
Stir with a spoon and drink in the first light of dawn.
Take the sight of an owl on a long-distance flight
The sound of Gorillas, chest-beating at night
The companionship of one hundred dogs
The patience of badgers who cross roads in the fog
Inside this spell is the shape of our days
All that we are, not all that we say,
This spell must include all that is true,
So stir in a unicorn’s miracle horn,
the noble heart of a lion, the smile of a snake
A giraffe’s dream of the stars
And make no mistake,
Most important of all, hidden away,
a spider’s web, broken, and mended again.
Drink our potion, hear our spell, look us in the eye
Put on our shoes and walk by our side.
These screenshots from the video show the young carers taking part in art activities during these Zoom sessions with the artists.
We commissioned artist Hilary Cox Condron to collaborate with a group of young carers and Centre 33, Cambridgeshire charity supporting young people. Together they did creative activities and tried different artforms with guest artists Bel Greenwood, Dan Donovan and MarketPlace Creative Agent Colin Stevens. Their responses became a poem, expressive paintings and a short film that was shared as part of Young Carers Action Day on 16 March 2021.
Amanda at Centre 33 said about the project:
“The art project has been amazing and having the opportunity to work with some amazing talented people has been really inspiring for the Young Carers. We can’t thank Hilary, Colin, Bel and Dan enough for their great work in putting together the film clip for Young Carers Action Day. The reaction to the clip from parents and the Young Carers was “wonderful”. The clip has also been shown in school by some Young Carers Champions. Thank you to everyone involved.
The Young Carers wanted their voices heard about what it is like for them, what their life is like and what qualities they have which they carry forward into their day to day work.
The Young Carers produced some wonderful art work, drawing and painting. They got to look at animation, putting clips together with sound effects as well as working with a writer to put together a spell/poem to get their voices heard. Hilary, Colin, Bel and Dan were so good with the Young People, they engaged them, gave them confidence and really inspired them to continue with Art in its different forms. I am feeling so proud with what they have achieved, that they worked so hard and we’re really pleased with the end results – their engagement has been brilliant.
We have Young Carers that have grown in confidence thanks to everyone. Young Carers that at first wouldn’t have their cameras on as they were shy and then they completed sessions with the camera on and enjoyed showing their art pieces. We had a Young Carer that was so quiet she didn’t speak to them by the end of the sessions she was chatting most of the time in the session and putting across her views more in speech.
Excellent Project, amazing people I look forward to the next one.”
Thanks to Emily, Erin, Pheobe, Lennon, Paige, Kezia, Amber and Sophie
Supported byCentre 33 Amanda Cawthorne and Richard Cross
Richard approached us in Lockdown 1 with the idea of creating a series of talks about the world of book publishing and cover design art. So many arts activities were moving online and we needed to decide how best to launch this subject matter. Should it be a live online video workshop? Or short videos that could offer themselves as inspirational talking points?
https://youtu.be/RJ-kN4BWSnA
In this trailer video, artists and publisher Richard Savage explains his short video series called ‘Judging a Book by it’s Cover’.
Exploring the various options we agreed with Richard to try the recorded video series format with the added action of inviting viewers to upload their sketches and design ideas to the discussion threads in Facebook, Instagram and social media platforms.
This is a new experiment for both Richard and MarketPlace. We would like to thank Richard for his patience and willingness to explore with us.
You can find the short series of Videos in the Facebook Group – The Book Cover Club
Each video goes live at 8pm on Monday 23rd, Weds 25th and Friday 27th November. Our hope is that viewers will join in the fun by uploading their own artwork and ideas. You can also offer website links to connect with others both in our region and elsewhere – this is the new digital world after all!
Visit the Facebook Group to join in the creative conversation, upload your own designs and ideas and start to create your own book covers for favourite books or even those that need writing!
Workshop One – Monday 23rdNovember
Richard takes us through the best and the worst book covers.
https://youtu.be/BkS09WA03Pw
Join the #BookCoverClub to let us know your favourite and least favourite book covers.
Workshop Two – Wednesday 25th November
In this video, Richard explains how book covers for famous books have changed according to the times (with a focus on George Orwell’s most famous book).
Share your book cover creations on the #BookCoverClub Facebook group – we’d love to see what you come up with.
Workshop Three – Friday 27th November
Richard takes us throught the process of creating a book cover from scratch to the finished product. Taking his favourite genre – children’s book illustration – Richard shows us how he approaches a book cover, designed to attract readers.
If you are on Facebook and would like to take part CLICK HERE and join the conversation. See you there!
Artist Genevieve Rudd approached MarketPlace with the idea of a workshop that would connect people, using creative activities to explore their surroundings outside.
The Walk’n’Craft Group, based in Mildenhall, and the Can’t Sing Choir, based in March, were keen to get involved. Everyone loved the idea of getting together in a way that was socially distanced (in line with the government restrictions at the time), but still enabled them to meet and socialise.
On Friday 30th October 2020, Genevieve sent prompts via WhatsApp to both groups throughout their walks. She set creative activities which encouraged everyone to take time to look more closely, listen to and feel their surroundings and think about the landscape they were in. After a well deserved break, everyone came together to meet via Zoom. Genevieve shared the photos, videos and creations made during their walks in a Powerpoint presentation.
When asked if the groups enjoyed the session, they were all positive about the experience. They were particularly pleased to try something different.
What did you enjoy and what will you take away from the session? “Doing something different and way out of my comfort zone. Words are my comfort and drawing was really my discomfort but I enjoyed it. [I will be] taking away the idea that I have grandchildren in different countries, and we could all do them [the activities] together, so that was grand.”
The workshop was an interesting experiment for Genevieve and the MarketPlace team. Using a platform like WhatsApp to bring different groups together at the same time was new for us, and came from a need to find alternative ways to connect during the pandemic.
FenScapers- Writers inspired by landscape. A groups of people with umbrellas to protect from the bright sun, make their way through “Madeleine’s Patch” – an open field of natural wild Fenland flowers.
The FenScapers writing group are currently preparing to launch their first venture into the world of podcasts. Reading their own writing with original music composed by Chris Ellis.
Originally called ‘Writing the Landscape’, the group has continued to meet online throughout 2020 and has explored poetry, short stories and dialogues, sharing their thoughts and experiences of nature during the first Lockdown and the ongoing pandemic situation.
During 2020 many people rediscovered a connection with the landscape and environment around them. Daily walks and gardening began to become the “new norm” for many people. It was this that inspired the writing group
As part of our Creative Conversations in Isolation commissions programme, writer Bel Greenwood facilitated an online space for people to share their discoveries through writing and to be inspired by the Fenland landscape. Using her wide range of experience, Bel encouraged writers of all levels to find and celebrate their voice.
“Fen. One New Year’s Day, in deep frost, teasels shining in the watery light of early morning, I scrunched my way along the bank, revelling in the crispness of the air, the sunlight filtering through the rising mist.” Paul
“Dear Robin. If I’d only sat up and taken the time to smell the damp earth and appreciated the beauty of my garden instead of considering my work a trial to endure, things could have been different.” Jacqui Fairfax
The writers are continuing to explore their ‘writing voices’ and are considering where the body of work that they create will lead them. MarketPlace has been pleased to watch the writing group develop their writing skills but also their ability to think about how to reach out to others across the region.
You can read some of the writing on the groups new blogsite – Leaping The Lockdown – which is all about nature, our relationship with it and the changes the writers have noticed in themselves and the world around them.
As part of our Creative Conversations in Isolation programme, we commissioned creative technologist, Emily Godden to test her idea of using technology to connect people. She was inspired by the speaking tubes at Ickworth House. Similar to an intercom, speaking tubes allowed people on different floors of the house to communicate with each other.
Emily developed the idea by creating a gadget connected to a phone number and we asked people to tell us their #LockdownGuiltyPleasure’ – what got you through lockdown?
Emily worked with Brandon Creative Forum and set things up at The Hare Salon in Brandon. Customers and visitors at the salon were asked the question and sent their answers to the phone number. The answers showed on a scrolling text display. Here’s how it turned out…
Jill from Brandon Creative Forum and Emily with her light box at the The Hare Salon with owner, Craig.
Over the few days Speaking Tubes ran, we had over 50 responses from visitors to The Hare Salon and on social media.
The project got people thinking and talking about their lockdown experiences, good and bad. Something that really came across was the importance of small moments, little things that were noticed and appreciated more than ever.
What was your #LockdownGuiltyPleasure?
Neelie – “Have to admit food has been mine. Went on to 4 meals a day and as soon as I had finished one meal was thinking about the next.”
Lorna – “the days we had shopping delivered have become very exciting”
Desiree – “Jane Austen adaptations of persuasion, discovered the 1940 version of pride and prejudice, Indian styled bride and prejudice. Meditation, yoga, going for walks, reading my sons’ book Skyward, singing and dancing around the house”
Hayley – “Wine, mostly.”
Lorna – “well I didn’t mention the cocktails but yeah, we’ve learned some new ones”
Siobhan – “I read a great book called belleweather rhapsody by Kate Racculia”
Desiree – “German cake. It is Zwetschgen – plum season”
Ali – “Gherkins and Cadbury Wholenut!”
Anna – “Working with some amazing people! Rediscovering our beautiful local parks & green spaces and a more local community feel – feel blessed”
Louise – “G&T”
Nigel – “Eating 5 meals a day!”
Tim – “A larger glass!”
Alice – “My cat Jeeves, I adopted him at the start of lockdown and now I can’t imagine my life without him now!”
Lorna – “I have to say telly has been a big one – 2 seasons of The Rockford Files and watching Dr Who from the ninth to twelfth doctors has been ace!”
Leanne – “Books, finally learning to cook curry from scratch, and buying a new bicycle!”
The Fens Mag – “The hope that lockdown will end soon!”
Emily – “Puppies!”
Roger – “Gardening”
Sophie – “Being in my garden”
Jack – “Home improvements and games”
Patrick – “Fish and chips…and curry sauce”
Regina – “Reading old favourite books (again!)”
Claire – “Fancy Dress Quiz nights with the family and all the beach walks”
Geniveve – “I have to agree with Jack – DIYing, painting, upcycling and having a good clear out has been cathartic!”
Dom – “Cadbury’s Giant Chocolate Buttons… at least a bag a week”
Holly – “Trying out new arty activities and making/eating lemon drizzle cake”
On Thursday 17th September 2020, Brandon Arts Society,Brandon Creative Forum and the MarketPlace team celebrated the 40th Anniversary of Brandon Arts Society with a virtual exhibition preview.
As part of our Creative Conversations in Isolation programme, we commissioned Lee to make a 3D virtual gallery for the exhibition. Using Mozilla Hubs Spoke, digital artist, Lee Mason curated the Art Society’s art work to create a wonderful exhibition experience, complete with wine, nibbles and Brandon’s infamous bunny. There’s also a beautiful roof-top garden, celebrating Brandon in Bloom.
Like many artists, Jenna Bristow and Steve Hubbard immediately responded to the Lockdown situation by taking photographs and examining the changes taking place around them and in their community.
Capturing the first few weeks after the government announcement revealed a sense of empty spaces and silence in the usually noisy Market Town of Wisbech.
Over the course of the summer the Jenna and Steve cast their eye over the various elements of the town and explored just how different the landscape of familiar buildings, river and parks became.
As photographers interested in using digital cameras to support people’s welbeing and mental health, they also invited people to contribute three words that summed up their experiences of life during Lockdown and the summer months.
“worried, unsettled and alone; sad, scared and concerned; frightened, anxious and emotional; missing my family; stuck at home; never ending story; shops are empty; depressed and lonely; concerned, apprehensive, anxious; no way out; everyone’s become selfish; no food left in stores; see no ending; cannot motivate myself; on my own; stay at home; can’t sleep; life goes on (for some); television is depressing; life on hold; lost my motivation“
One voicemail message broke the three word rule but Jenna and Steve felt it deserved a place in their collection. Below is the transcript of the voice message left by ‘E’.
The gut wrenching feeling going into Tesco, to buy flour.
Arriving at the aisle, to be faced with empty shelves, but most of all the picture embedded in my brain forever, an old man hunch over shaking his head. I asked if he was alright, he looked deflated, he said, I only wanted one bag of flour for my wife. People weren’t greedy in the war, they shared.
It upset me. I asked to speak to a manager. I asked if they could please put stock away for the elderly, as most are getting none, and there are no restrictions on the amount. They said they couldn’t, in the morning there would be more. I asked if they would put some away for them, no, first come first served. Then I suggested that they only allow the elderly in first, as they won’t be greedy, again this was refused giving an excuse. I was talking about elderly being 70 onwards. I am 57. Our elderly went through a lot and should be treated better. A lot of human kindness went out the window.
The thing with toilet paper. When asking Lidl, I was advised there were men buying the pallet loads as soon as they were on the shop floor. I asked why they are allowing it. They couldn’t stop them. Then came rationing, bit late but welcome by all. One flaw, you could shop, get two of everything etc. Pay, load your car up. Come right back in, do it all over again, go to a differnet till, this happened over an over. A cashier explanined how it was in Tesco.
Just have to shake your head at people who caused more suffering to those who didn’t need it. No wonder our elderly were left with nothing.
‘E’ author
We are proud to add this collection to our Creative Conversations in Isolation programme and we have produced a book which is being distributed to local community centres, museums and libraries.
The Walk n Craft group, define themselves as “a group of local women coming together for walking, crafting and a bit of banter over lunch”! Based in Mildenhall, Suffolk, they were used to meeting regularly, however following lockdown, the group were no longer able to meet in person. Holly and Mel from Art At Work got in touch with the idea to set up meetings with the Walk n Craft group online, and create arts activities to do together. This would keep the group connected and also benefit the group in terms of health and well-being during a difficult period of isolation.
The creative activities included drawing variations of a shoe, continuous line drawing and drawing without looking at the object. They documented their meetings and creations on their Instagram account and they still meet regularly on Zoom.
The Walk n Craft group also took part in our #LetsTakeAWalk project with artist, Genevieve Rudd.
Take a closer look at the Flickr gallery of art work created by the group.
