Sensory Stories - Plant based Printmaking with Youthers in Huddersfield

Sensory Stories is about creatively engaging the senses, exploring different ways of connecting through photography, eco-friendly print making and art.

Over Summer we had a great time working with a group of young people who are members of ‘Youthers’ a youth club on Town Estate, Huddersfield.

Sensory Stories is made possible by Arts Council England project Sensory Stories & these Youthers sessions were match funded by Creative Minds.

Sensory Stories has been working with groups of people across North and West Yorkshire, in these sessions, we had a group of young people from diverse communities some of whom with additional needs taking part in a session to take photographs, make cyanotype prints and get creative through arts and crafts activities.

Before I go further, it’s important to share the wider context in the UK which have impacted this work - the first workshop took place on the 5th August, just after a weekend where we've seen civil unrest unfold in our communities, and this has caused a huge disruption to many people's lives caused an awful lot of tension to unfold, and it completely impacted the project that I wanted to talk to you about in this article.

There were reports that a riot was planned just around the corner from where these workshops were going to take place, people were scared and this impacted some local Families who did not feel safe. The community centre we were using decided to close that day as a result. Fortunately the planned riot in Huddersfield turned out to be a hoax, but the fear was real. And the damage to cohesion in our communities is real.

We pressed ahead with the project because I believe it’s important not to allow fear to win, or to allow those who would seek to divide us to succeed. We were still able to get creative and connect which is the important thing.

The Sensory Stories project seeks to explore article the role of sensory engagement can play in fostering creativity through photography, painting, crafts and print making using plants.

We started with a ‘Sensory Buffet’ using different materials, textures, tastes and sounds as a way of connecting with all of our senses.

Before exploring our surroundings using cameras - taking photos to represent different things and getting used to the idea that we can use images to communicate, connect and share.

We also spent time thinking about what a good life looks like, the people, places and things that are important and the stuff that the young people care about in their lives.

In another session we used plants to make prints using a process called Chemigrams. These analogue technique offers a unique sensory experience that contrasts sharply with the digital landscape that these young people have grown up with - many of them have never even used a digital camera other than a phone!

Chemigrams allow people to create abstract images using simple household chemicals on photosensitive paper. This process not only encourages experimentation but is also fascinates children as they observe how everyday materials can transform into art through exposure to light and chemical reactions - encouraging them to explore and experiment.

We used ‘resists’ applied to photographic paper which is then developed, stopped and fixed. The developer was made from leaves gathered in the local area. The resists used were toothpaste, honey, masking tape and candles used to draw shapes / images.

By participating in activities like chemigrams and Cyanotype, children not only learn technical skills but also have fun, connect and share. It was a wonderful way to spend time together in creativity.

We finished up with a creative ‘hoop’ making session to create colourful frames to showcase the artwork we’d created together - the young people were able to take these home with them as a momento of the project and our time together.

The children really enjoyed the process and the outcomes! I’ve found it interesting to see how the emphasis here is as much on the process as the outcome. Chemigrams, with their abstract nature, offer a unique avenue for mindfulness and being present in the creative process itself, rather than fixating solely on the end results.

Feedback from Staff at Youthers:

This hands-on approach encourages participants to focus on each moment, embracing unpredictability and allowing the creative flow to guide their actions, inviting spontaneity, experimentation and fun.

Our huge thanks to Local Services 2 You who run the Town House where Youthers is based, to all of the staff and children at Youthers for embracing the project and making us feel so welcome and to Arts Council England and Creative Minds for supporting the project!

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