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Oriel 1

December 2011

christmas decorations part two.

Posted by Sian Lile on 9 December 2011

In my last post I mentioned that I would be running a drop in arts and crafts session on the 17th december in Oriel 1, St Fagans: National History Museum. We will be taking inspiration from 1950s decorations, and to get some good ideas I went around the site with my camera the other day and took these photos.

Do you have anything similar at home? don't forget to let me know your memories of Christmas decorations in your house when you were growing up too!

christmas decorations

Posted by Sian Lile on 6 December 2011

I will be running an arts and crafts session on Saturday 17th December and we'll be making Christmas decorations! whoop!

I've been busy creating some samples of what we will be making, so if you like what you see come and make them with me! It's a drop in session and is suitable for both children and adults, we'll be making tissue paper pom poms, crepe paper chains and gingerbread men out of felt - i'll also try and remember to bring some christmassy playdough for the littlest ones and some colouring sheets too.

I've taken inspiration from decorations from the 1950s and have a few decorations from that date to show you! (will take pictures and blog about them too). We're also keen to collect some information from you - what decorations did you have as a child? let me know here or fill in one of my forms on the 17th.

The gingerbread man in the photo is from our collection and dates from around 1912. Inspired by this, I thought it would be fun to make some gingerbread men felt tree decorations too (and, yes, I realise I'm not sticking to my theme!).

Staff are busy decorating the historic buildings in St Fagans: National History Museum as we speak, so on the 17th you'll be able to get some first hand 50s inspiration for the 1950s decorations by visiting the Prefab and the 1955 Rhyd-y-car house.

go here for more information or email me if you have any questions regarding the session.

October 2011

Big Draw

Posted by Sian Lile on 10 October 2011

Hello!

Every year we take part in the Big Draw Here are the pictures from this year which took place on the 1st and the 8th October. We made a paper version of St Fagans: National History Museum inspired by Made by Joel, and used some of his images too.

September 2011

Looking at Buildings

Posted by Sian Lile on 16 September 2011

On Wednesday Ysgol Gynradd Gymraeg Evan James took part in the art activity that I offer to schools called 'Looking at Buildings'.

The pupils have a look at the buildings in the museum and make sketches of them, before returning to the activity space to create a 3d model. Here are some pictures of the wonderful work made.

If your school would like to take part in something similar, have a look here for more details.

Quilt Club

Posted by Sian Lile on 16 September 2011

I love quilt club, I really do. And if any of you would like to come along then I'm sure you will love it too!

It's a friendly, informal group and we get together and sew quilts! Quilter, and all round wonderful person Samantha Jenkins is on hand to help out if you get stuck or to help you get started if you have never quilted before. We meet every two months on a saturday morning at 11am until 12.30pm, the next meeting is on November 5th and is open to all - but please book your place by phoning 029 2057 3424.

Here are some pictures from recent meetings... I know there are more somewhere in the depths of my computer, so I'll have a hunt for those too.

August 2011

Summer Art Activities

Posted by Sian Lile on 11 August 2011

Summer art activities

Posted by Sian Lile on 10 August 2011

This is a wonderful drawing by Charley of a Jester which ties in with our Tudor art theme.

Don't forget that art activities are running all through August, and if you haven't been before, now is the time to visit as it's generally a little quieter in the galleries when the weather is good!

Printing

Posted by Sian Lile on 4 August 2011

I tried out a printing session with young adults the other day. We looked at designs from the 1950s (on clothes from our collections and in books)and then made some prints based on them. The printing techniques were a mixture of relief prints (like lino but using softblock) and monoprinting. Here are some of the pictures which are fantastic! I'll try and get round to adding more soon.

I'm planning on running something similar next year for adults and young adults (aged 16+) so if anyone has any suggestions or would be interested in having a go, please get in touch.

Summer Art Activities

Posted by Sian Lile on 4 August 2011

Art activiites have begun in Oriel 1 for the summer and will continue every day throughout August. It's a drop-in session and runs from 11 until 1 and then 2 until 4. We are looking at lots of things to do with the Tudors and making models of Tudor Buildings.

I'll be adding more pictures as the summer goes on!

June 2011

Art Cart -Coins

Posted by Sian Lile on 2 June 2011

Just a quick post to show you a few pictures of the things we have been making in the Art Cart this half term. The activities run until Sunday, so there is still time to visit and take part. I have also got some Tudor style outfits for children to try on and have painted a backdrop for them to pose by.

The coin theme has come about as we have a fantastic display of coins in the gallery at the moment as part of the Creu Hanes exhibition. The coins are otherwise known as the 'Tregwynt Treasure Hoard' and were buried around 1647 and finally dug up in 1996!

For the art cart activities we have been colouring and decorating Tudor style coins and using string and silver foil for a more 3d feel.

I think they look pretty splendid.

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