Hundreds of origami swans will be seen in Lichfield later in the year, following a mammoth effort by artist Celia Houghton.

Celia is one of the cities most enduring artists, who is at the forefront of delivering access to the arts through her role as Lichfield District Councils Arts Officer. She is however also an artist in her own right, and as part of a major community arts project funded by Tesco, developed a fantastic project to young budding artists to inspire them to embrace creative thinking.

Tony Fletcher (Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager) said “We are delighted with the outcome of Celia’s latest workshop event. The response of the Children, schools and local community together with the commitment of the artists’ has been overwhelming. We look forward to seeing the results of all of the projects in due course”

During June and July Celia visited 6 local primary schools, including St James Primary. Longdon, St Josephs, Chadsmead Primary, Charnwood Primary, Lichfield Willows Primary, and Greysbrooke Primary, Shenstone and offered an insight into one of Lichfield’s most significant figures – Anna Seward – ‘The Swan Of Lichfield’.

As part of the workshops children were invited to follow Stewards footpath and write their own poetic verse, and then convert their poem into a beautiful tribute in the shape of an Origami Swan. In total 545 children participated in the project, which also saw Celia introduce the children to Dr Johnson, asking them to create their own word and definition for a children’s dictionary for the city, which will be on show soon.

The project and exhibition are one of a number of art based workshops projects and exhibitions in the city over the next 4 months of art which have been funded by Tesco. The Origami Swans will form the centre of a much larger collection, which will be displayed in Lichfield soon. The project will also see further art activities about Seward carried out, and other tributes to the ‘Swan of Lichfield’ produced as a result of community involvement.

Peter Walker Project Coordinator “At the centre of the art projects we are running, is the objective to get people involved in the arts. Art is far more than just drawing a picture of something you see, and by involving children in creating art we are introducing them to a plethora of imaginative ways to look at the world. In Celia we have a perfect artists, skilled in opening the eyes of children to the possibilities of art, and I am delighted that her commitment has resulting in such beautiful results”.

One of Lichfield’s most talented artists recently gave an insight into the world of professional fashion photography to local residents during a workshop funded by Tesco.

"We are delighted with both the response from the people who took part and must commend both Rebecca Parker and also Peter Walker for devising and delivering an outstanding array of workshops with the funding provided by Tesco" Tony Fletcher (Tesco Corporate Affairs)

Rebecca Parker is a leading light in modern photography, whose work graces the front covers of many significant national and international publications. The project, based on research into Lichfield’s eminent polymath, Erasmus Darwin, saw Rebecca run a series of studio based workshops with NCFE Photography Students from South Staffordshire College. The workshops addressed issue of composition, lighting and computer editing.

'We are delighted that such an opportunity has been given to part time evening class learners, the take up has been excellent. We look forward to some of their work being exhibited later on in the Summer'. Sophie Cartwright Curriculum Manager Art and design (SSC)

“Rebecca's workshops have been a great success. Rebecca has shown the students her working process, giving insight into some professional tricks and finishes. Students have learnt how to produce artistic but realistic composite images, in a style inspired by Pre-Raphaelite paintings” Richard Pickup Tutor SSC

The project also saw students kindly allowed to access Erasmus Darwin House, for an evenings photography, with Rebecca and her special guest, photography consultant Patrick Anderson, the official photographer for Zandra Rhodes turned up to help students photograph the professional models Eva Rose and Karenza from Liverpool and Lincoln.

‘ I appreciate the effort you went to in order to give us the opportunity of gaining more experience and knowledge of working with some 'proper' models. “Dave (student)

"I had so much fun last night! I took about 60 images and I am really pleased with the way they have turned out! Cant wait to get stuck in and editing them. " Zara (Student)

Rebecca has also conducted another photo shoot herself at Darwin House, with Port Talbot based model Amelia Kate Thomas who is one of the current contests on the Living TV show Britain Next Top Model. Amelia was very impressed with how beautiful Lichfield is she posed for Rebecca in costume from the Museum’s collection. Rebecca is currently working on the results of this shoot and the final work alongside images from students involved in the project can be seen at an art exhibition at Darwin House on the 21st August.

“.....for the evening of the photo shoot the Gardens here at Erasmus Darwin House were transported back to Georgian times. Beautifully costumed, elegant ladies appearing from behind the scented roses and purple lavenders. It really was breath taking.' Erasmus Darwin house Spokesman,

The project and exhibition are one of a number of art based workshops projects and exhibitions in the city over the next 4 months of art which have been funded by Tesco.

Peter Walker Project Coordinator “ Its great to expose to the city a talent that lives hear but works around the country, and to allow local people to work with her and to learn elements of her trade. Everyone is excited about the final work she will produce and we hope people will come and see it on the 21st August at Darwin House”.

In May a one day art installation will feature at Speakers Corner in Lichfield. The artwork will include a combination of original historic speeches from history - combined with the thoughts and feelings of people from the city. So have your say - we are looking for short 2 minute thoughts and ideas on any subject. These will then be added to the 8 hour sound piece which will be part of the installation. Either send in your own recording or watch out for our recording days which will be advertise very soon.
For more information email info@52weeksofart.com

Priya Chohan has been selected for the first 52 Weeks of Art Residency which will begin in early February, and culminate in an exhibition in March.

Priya Chohan’s work is non-image and process based. She is interested in philosophies about mapping and time, in the ephemeral and in the traces of actions, exploring this through her use of material.

Having recently made drawings and objects using graphite and pigment, she enjoys experimenting with wax, clay and lead to make organic forms, juxtaposing this experimentation with traditional techniques.

From thinking about mark-making and the expanded idea of sculpture and drawing, she has developed an innovative egg tempera paint to create simple sculptural objects which reference the traditional shape of a canvas as well as implying natural brick like structures that could have come out of the earth.

Chohan’s practice involves concurrently working on several ideas in the studio and, as a result, the works inform each other and relationships develop between them. These relationships are visual and conceptual, through organic marks and the works’ physicality, as well as through the way they relate to her ideas about drawing and painting. She makes works, which, as individual objects are small and intimate – together they create a rich, dense experience, playing on these relationships.

She recently co-founded an artist group, 4 Walls. Within this group, she started peer critique sessions, which are now being piloted by Chisenhale Gallery, London. She will be an artist in residence at Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wales, in Summer 2010, and has a forthcoming solo exhibition at Yorkshire Art Space, Sheffield, in September 2010. Recent group shows include Play, Pause, Stop at Portman Village Galleries, London, and One or Several Wolves? at Kingsgate Gallery, London.

As part of her residency with ‘52 Weeks of Art’ at Wedge Gallery and Project Space, she will make an experimental ‘landscape’ within the space.