At Somerset Art Works we love to see families making and creating together!

As part of Spinning a Yarn, artists Jade Ogden and Lydia Needle ran intergenerational family workshops at the Rural Life Museum this Autumn – all using Wool.

Jade’s workshop was held as part of the Somerset Art Weeks Family Friendly weekends and invited people of all ages to spend around 20 minutes working on a rigid heddle loom to create a handwoven coaster in British wool.
There was also the opportunity to get hands-on with local sheep fleece, to enjoy the texture, brushing, twisting and wrapping, or weaving it into some simple frame looms.

Lydia’s drop-in session involved creating images of Somerset sheep using needlefelting processes and natural wool. It was a really happy session and Lydia made sure to encourage everyone to take part including parents, fathers especially, many of whom had assumed it wasn’t for them.  Everyone who took part became fully immersed in the session, and every person completed a wonderful and characterful Somerset sheep!

We know that families come in all shapes and sizes and that arts activities can be a wonderful way to bring generations together, through creating together. Somerset Art Works is committed to providing opportunities for early engagement in the arts, helping to foster habits to last a lifetime and to build support for arts and culture in the future. Look out for our workshops, events and projects around the county – join us!