Workshop two: lino-printing techniques at The Printery
This workshop was about teaching people new creative skills in a professional print studio. Having access to professional printing presses and the array of equipment meant people could access a space they wouldn’t be able to access in everyday life. This workshop taught them the foundational skills of lino-printing as well as tips and tricks for continuing lino-printing at home from the kitchen table.
A popular myth of Dartmoor is that of "Old Crockern" and its guardian spirit of the moor who rides out at night on a skeleton horse. In Sabine Baring-Gould's publication Book of the West there was once a rich man from Manchester who came to Dartmoor and bought up land surrounding the Tor. He enclosed it and began farming around it, to the fury of all the local people. One of them had a vision that Old Crockern was also angry and curse the man "If he scratches my back, I'll tear out his pocket." This ended up proving true, the Manchester landowner wasted all his money trying to farm the area around the Tor, "scratching it's back" and went home years later, paupered. (British Folklore, 2022).
Participants took inspiration from this folktale to envision their own guardian spirit of Plymouth that can symbolise the qualities they want to develop within themselves and within the city. Just as the workshop taught them new skills, they applied this further to think about what new skills can the city learn and develop to create positive change for all and build towards a more sustainable future.
Some of the participants said…
“The value of space to make together and then talk afterwards if desired was great. Your way of facilitating felt very natural, you were great at letting people explore, play and seek help if needed.”
“What I most took away from the event is a greater understanding of the printmaking process and an understanding of how art can influence and engage communities in change”
Guardian of the hills
A hill creature guarding the landscape and watching over Plymouth. Protecting the trees and natural greenery within and around the city.
Compassion
A furry goblin creature that hides within dark places waiting to emerge when the land is healed. The nose is heart shaped to show healing and compassion.
Watchful fox
This person created a fox sitting with a tree man in the background. They wanted a stoic creature that gazes across the landscape, sitting guard infront of the distressed landscape to prevent further harm.
Seagrass angel
This person created a seagrass angel to protect Plymouth and the sea, with the words 'Awake awake seagrass angel'. Alongside the urban environment and the changes going on in Plymouth’s landscape they do not want the ocean to be neglected.
Stolen futures
A Morwenna Goddess, mother of land and sea, who laments the slow killing of their heartbeat as climate destruction continues.
Figure of the earth
A figure of the earth and the trees. Moving slowly with intention, her cape flows behind her, with each footstep she channels energy down into the earth. Seeds of change stir, folk join to walk alongside her, feeling the call, her invitation, the time is now...
Grinning figure
A figure looking across the earth, staff in hand ready for action, and a large grin for positivity and hope.
A visual summary of the lino-printing creative art workshop held in Plymouth with the local community.