First Year (January – April 2020)
This was the first collaboration between Duncan Court extra care scheme and Lansbury Lawrence Primary School, working with artists Polly Beestone, who specialises in puppetry and Mia Harris, a designer and maker.
It’s using your brain as well as your hands. It’s creating something
Older participant
Duncan Court and Lansbury Lawrence had already established a relationship through the school’s choir, who had previously visited and sang for residents. As close neighbours they wanted to strengthen this connection with the support of Magic Me and create a lasting partnership.
During weekly sessions the group came together to explore themes of hidden messages using ice as a creative material. To begin with, the group began sharing stories and finding out about one another’s likes and dislikes through games. Ice was used as a material that could hold text and objects which when melted would reveal questions for the group to discuss.
I like how she’s never awkward.
Younger participant talking about one of the older adults
In March the group had begun to prepare for their final exhibition in which ice sculptures would be displayed at Duncan Court. However due to the changing circumstances of COVID-19, we were sadly unable to complete the project as expected. In order to capture what we had achieved so far artists Polly and Mia created a book for each of the group which included photos and messages to help us stay connected until we can meet again in person.
The View From Here (April – June 2020)
In response to the constantly changing situations around the COVID-19 pandemic, Magic Me designed a remote project for Arts & Ages partners to take part in from home. The project involved activity packs sent in the post and uploaded to online learning platforms, with the aim of creating a space to reflect on the now, explore another generation’s perspective, and most importantly have fun! Full project details can be found here.
Final Year (May – July 2021)
Between May – July 2021, Lansbury Lawrence Primary School and Duncan Court worked with artist Freya Wynn-Jones to build upon their previous work together.
Through online workshops with Freya and Magic Me, partner staff established joint aims and objectives, continued their learning of intergenerational practice and planned for the future. Older and younger people also continued to connect remotely through ‘The Lovely Day’ project which ran alongside staff workshops.
The Lovely Day Project
Using the song ‘Lovely Day’ by Bill Withers as a starting point, Lansbury Lawrence’s Arts Council and residents created a mix-tape of songs that make them feel lovely and created new lyrics for a special version of ‘Lovely Day’. The Arts Council recorded this special version for residents and drew album covers for their mix-tapes.
See the lyrics to the special version of Lovely Day and have a sing along to the video above.
Listen to the Lovely Day Playlist here.