A “Hullabaloo” – a noise or fuss made by people who are angry or excited about something.
In collaboration with Green & Healthy Frome; OpenStoryTellers have bought together four local creative practitioners to work alongside a collective of talented artists with learning disabilities, to explore how the changing environment impacts on their world.
This exhibition tells the story of the beauty of the natural world and its community alongside the anxiety and anger evoked by waste and global warming. There is increasing evidence to suggest that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. Climate Change is a disability issue!
We hope that in this collection of art, photography, film, soundscape & sculpture we can elevate the voices of people with learning disabilities. Our ethos is co-creating work that celebrates neurodiversity and inclusion.
The Exhibition takes place from 26th November to 5th December 2024 10.30 – 3.00 at The Round Tower, Black Swan Arts, Frome, BA11 1BB. Entry is free and the building is accessible.
We Return to Earth
Becky Abhaya
Artist and Yoga Therapist
Elani, Hannah, Fiona, Andrew & Paula Artists
We shared how being in nature makes us feel and explored the cycles of life; birth, life, aging, decaying, death and again life. Rich conversation ensued about compost and ecological renewal but also about what happens to our waste. We created art at Heaven’s Gate, Welshmill River Walk and in OpenStoryTellers over the following months, using both plants and waste rubbish and recording how all that we created slowly returned to the earth.
Through this exhibition we hope to emphasise the importance of our connection to nature. We offer a gentle reminder of the impact that microplastics are having.
The Wool Influencers
Jade Ogden
Hand Weaver & Textile Artist
Peter, Stuart, Lucy, Megan, Ellie, Jacob, Mark, Lauren & Paul Artists
We looked at locally grown fibres and how we could use them for fashion. We explored the issues around fast fashion and plastic based clothing and how we could make something different and good for the planet. Wool fleece is playful and it inspires creativity because of its shape and the way it feels. We talked about the story of the Emperor’s New Clothes and thought about how they could become ‘influencers’ in their local community by making locally grown, biodegradable accessories.
Joyful Feast
Mel Day Community Artist
Charlotte, Sarah, Alice, Brandon, Dan, Clemma, Fiona, Jacob, Ellie, Robin & Tim Artists
The making of Joyful Feast certainly made us happy. We hope sharing with you will bring joy and remind us all of the power of food! Food brings people together, it gives us comfort when we are sad and weary. We show we care by making food, giving to strangers and loved ones alike. Most of the big and small days in life are marked by food and drink. We talked about who we are, where we come from and how we get to know new people by enjoying their flavours. I started thinking about food in a crisis and how important it is for our resilience. We all made paper clay: recycled paper, flour and salt, that is it! While we made the food for our joyful feast we shared our happy food memories, everyone had a story. Some came out almost as verse, ready to pass on to you.
Journeys Through Time and Climate
Howard Vause Media Artist
Tim, Clemma, Robin & Charlotte Artists
Together with four remarkable individuals, who regularly travel by bus, we explored how the everyday can become extraordinary when seen through the lens of nature, climate, and time. What might seem like a routine trip becomes something far more—an exploration of how climate change will impact future travel, and how nature shapes their experience through the changing seasons. Drawing from the rich medieval and Arthurian history of the landscape, the work transforms a simple commute into a journey through time, where past, present, and future collide. This installation invites viewers to travel alongside us, to experience the beauty, challenges, and stories woven into every ride, where the mundane is magical, where the journey is more than just a destination
The Story of a Stone
Thrown in the River
OpenStorytellers Artists
Kat, Dora, Kate (Dan, Hayley, Ellie, Stuart, Ruth, Robert, William, M, A, C)
This piece is a creative response to the river Frome; a place that we often frequent, appreciating the flow and the ripples created as we go. We explored our relationship with the river from blue skies and whistling birds to deep below where the bubbles burst. We are inviting you to listen and see the water from a new perspective.
For more information please contact Charlotte Woodall on 01373 471054 or email charlotte.woodall@openstorytellers.org.uk
You can visit our website at https://openstorytellers.org.uk
