Perlins Project Exhibition at City Space
Saturday 30 May until Sunday 28 June 2009
In June, a Durley-based group will take the spotlight at the City Council’s City Space exhibition area at Winchester Discovery Centre. Members of the Perlins Project will be showing their pottery, alongside a visual record depicting the creation of the work through film and photography.
The Perlins Project is a personal development scheme for adults with learning disabilities in the lovely village of Durley, to the South of the Winchester District. The scheme helps participants to gain confidence, develop communication skills and work together through a range of activities including the design and production of ceramics.
The project has been developed over the past 13 years. Other activities on offer include woodwork, gardening, working with animals, working on computers and cookery.
The ceramics workshops began by using moulds to make terracotta slipware in a variety of forms, bowls, mugs, mosaics, vases and flower pots - items the group then advertise and sell.
Members have gained practice and understanding of the techniques of ceramics through experimentation, developing decorating skills using coloured slips under glaze, oxides and relief work before eventually moving on to the use of clear, coloured glazing and kiln firing techniques.
The inclusion of photographs in the exhibition gives an opportunity to put a face to the artists. Project members have created self-portraits to go alongside their ceramics in workshop sessions with photographer Dan Slimm.
Project participants have been developing free style designs and techniques over the past year, inspired by the idea of producing their wares for exhibition. They are excited by this opportunity to showcase their work in Winchester, where many of the project members live.
Perlins Project opens in City Space on Saturday 30 May until Sunday 28 June. Admission is free and most of the artwork is for sale.
Opening times:
Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm
Saturday 10am – 5pm
Sunday 11am – 4pm