Researching Bolton Museums` collections….


I was really excited to spend an afternoon looking into the collections at the fabulous and newly opened Museum in Bolton. My daughter loves the museum….

IMG_3895.JPG

IMG_3896.JPG

The  purpose of my visit this time, was to plan an engaging workshop, using the beautiful collections, with a group of adult refugees.

I wanted to see what I most connected with and begin to think about how i can work with these collections to improve  well being. The building is beautiful, so I immediately felt inspired by the architectural details…

IMG_9180IMG_9182

The painting room felt really peaceful; most of the space in the museum is full of exciting artefacts, so the painting room felt like a tranquil spot.

IMG_9184IMG_9186

I was particularly drawn to this photograph and the painting below…..

IMG_9187

something so ordinary, but so beautiful…

IMG_9189

and this painting makes me feel quite dreamy, as if I am sitting on that chair. I was drawn to the printmaking, which inspired a seed of an idea to do a printing workshop for the refugees….I also was really inspired by the Botany collection, so thought the two might link together nicely. There is something very visceral about relief printing, so I thought this might be a way to engage a group, where there will be a lot of barriers to engagement.

IMG_9201

IMG_9202

IMG_9204

There is also a miniature museum, with wooden people and museum stands to arrange, which I`d played with on visits with my daughter. Even the ceiling imitates the sky and there is a tree, as if in a park! It can`t fail to inspire and hopefully I can use it for other workshops linked with the collections.

IMG_9191

There are such a lot of exciting things to see these were just some of my highlights.