Workshop grouping structures explored:
As I have already outlined in previous blog posts in the main I used the Meet Me at MOMA matrix system to research and work out the details for each of the workshops for Rose Cottage. The other main factor that influenced my decisions on a workshop structure and the topic choice was when I wanted the clients to explore the different types of workshop grouping structures, i.e. if the clients were to explore working individually, in pairs or a group.
At the very beginning of the workshop series and as a way to introduce myself to the clients and to get them started making art the first two workshops were designed to be simple, outcome orientated projects. There was a certain amount of direction offered to the clients to work individually with the possibility to extend and further explore the materials and projects on offer.
After these two workshops I opened up the possibilites of what artistic outcomes could be created by offering a specific topic and a fixed material choice but not directing the artistic outcomes. Also as time went on each client worked more by themselves without the assistance of staff. Towards the middle and end of the workshop series the clients worked in pairs and in a group to create joint art works.
The outline, topic choice and artistic inspiration for each of the eight co-creation workshops in Rose Cottage will be outlined in the coming blog posts.
Art and Dementia projects 