Do you want to be part of an Arts collective in south Leeds? A place where artists can practice together, run workshops and we can learn new skills right here on our doorstep, not needing to venture over to the other side of the River?
If so come and join us at Rooted : make.play.grow. We are based in the garden and studio of 153 Beeston Rd and are tentatively stepping out to make creativity part of our life and maybe yours too?
Last season saw a bunch of workshops run by Tania Carlisle encouraging participants to make Christmas wreaths from foraged items.
In the then overgrown garden we had a problem with bindweed, but as I tried to figure out what to do with it, I discovered it ‘binds’ really well together and makes perfect wreaths. So applying the permaculture principle of ‘the problem is the solution’, we utilised the weed, along with many foraged items to make beautiful wreaths – discovering that creativity is to be found all around us, and we in turn can find healing through that. So began ‘Rooted’, a place to make, play and grow.
Often we encourage children to be creative and play, but where are the opportunities for adults to also do this? We are hoping to change that and are wanting to put on a programme of different creative activities for people to join here.
We are looking to nature and creativity to help us heal as people and as a community, as we believe this is so important, especially in an urban environment like ours.
We are encouraging anyone who is interested in running or attending workshops to get in touch and find out how you can get involved.
Zoe Mitchell (aka Urban Magpie) is due to run recycled jewellery making workshops in March – so book your place on that. We also have Gelliplate printing workshops in March and beyond.
We have an Easter wreath making class in March and are encouraging people who made Christmas wreaths to use their bases and decorate with Easter/ spring foliage, or to come and make new ones to decorate.
We have various ideas for workshops including items from jesmonite with Maria Eva Prescott, and kokodama making.
The studio also lends itself to a private therapeutic space so any art therapists or counsellors out there needing space to practice (especially in the school week) please get in touch to view the space.
This is the start of a creative journey here in Beeston and we’d love you to be a part of it.
Contact Tania Carlisle on 07917 157830 for more details. @rooted.leeds on Instagram
Gelli-Plate Printing
Gelli-plate printing uses a soft, flexible plate made from a gel-like material to produce images. To make a print, paint or ink is rolled onto the gelli plate using a brayer. We will then add stencils, leaves, textured materials, to create patterns.
Paper or fabric is placed on top and gently pressed to transfer the design. The prints can then be used as backgrounds for further work, or as one off prints in their own right. It’s a lot of fun and the joy is in the experimenting – so come along and give it a try.
Recycled Jewellery Making
Have you ever wondered what to do with those broken necklaces, odd earrings, random beads or your Granny’s collection of old brooches? Then this is the workshop for you! Join Zoe (@urban_magpie) and find out how to turn your trinkets into treasures, at an informal evening of jewellery making. Bring along your old, broken or unloved jewellery and learn how to upcycle them into something new and fabulous, using simple jewellery making techniques. All tools, findings and accessories provided.
Easter Wreath Making
Using Willow and Ivy bases, dried flowers and selected Spring foliage we will make Easter wreaths to adorn your door and celebrate Spring. If you have previously made a Christmas wreath – this is a perfect opportunity to recycle your old wreath bases, if not come along anyway and create your own base and wreath.
This post was written by Tania Carlisle
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