‘Kirkstall Neighbours’ are workshops led by skilled artists, held before the Art Trail. They aim to give members of our community the opportunity to learn new skills and create artwork for the summer event.

Artist Annabelle Richmond-Wright led the Collaborative Sculptural Installation workshop, and tells us more about it below.

“This was a fun, playful workshop where we explored the theme of the River Aire by getting stuck into making a sculptural installation together. Nobody came from an art background, so we kicked things off with a relaxed chat about what sculpture and installation are and what they could be. Focussing on imagination rather than being literal. We talked about rivers, flow, movement, nature, and how we might express those ideas using recycled materials like cardboard, wire, plastic, and fabric.

The group didn’t know each other at the start, but that didn’t last long! As we played with materials and ideas, people were chatting and sharing ideas, helping each other out, and solving creative challenges together. The whole process was really open and experimental, just about being curious and seeing where things would go.

By the end, we’d made something unique as a group, had some great conversations and laughs along the way, and everyone did something they might not usually do. It was a joy to facilitate and be part of that shared, creative, and relaxed afternoon.”

The final pieces will be on display at Venue 27.

Highlights from the workshop

Funding

This project has been made possible by funding from the Inner West Community Committee, Leeds City Council.