Suitcase Studio is a portable artists’ workshop, able to provide visual art opportunities at a range of events and venues. Suitcase Studio will create a rich environment for people to be able to comfortably experiment with materials. Our ethos
Suitcase Studio’s ethos is based on a core belief that everyone has the potential to be creative given the opportunity and that this in turn develops skills
in problem solving, promotes wellbeing and nurtures confidence. I value an approach of collective working and participation and promote a wholly inclusive policy. About the owner
Suitcase Studio is owned and run by Gemma McColl. Gemma (BA Hons, PGCE) spent more than 12 years working in community arts and ran a successful Educational Arts business before becoming a qualified teacher, with experience of teaching throughout KS1-3. This new venture has come from a combination of these previous experiences, having a young family and an interest in the approaches of Reggio Emilia. The Reggio Approach celebrates the child and their knowledge, they believe that learning happens through a collaboration between the child and the adult and central to this is listening the child through all there means of communication. The approach also identifies the environment is the third teacher, and all Reggio ‘Schools of Early Childhood’ have a central artist studio where and artist, teachers and children all come together to create. I believe that opportunity and environment has a prominent role in learning and where children are seen as competent unique individuals with knowledge, understanding and interests they have the ability to learn concepts far above those normally expected for their age. This is something I intend to promote through Suitcase Studio. On offer
Suicase studio will assemble an engaging and creative space in a setting determined by the customer. Activities include:
Early Childhood sessions – regular workshops
These will take the form of creative spaces allowing free play in a stimulating, Reggio inspired space where children’s activities will be documented. Family Activities – monthly or one off workshops
As with the Early Childhood Sessions these will take the form of creative spaces allowing free play in a stimulating, Reggio inspired space. These can be themed, though the emphasis would be on the participants leading with their imagination and creativity too. Men at work - Make and Meddle
Father and child make and modify sessions. Starting with themed sessions to support dads, grandads or care givers interacting with their children. Activities will include challenges, problem solving and a bit of friendly competition. In addition
There will also be the possibility of adult classes and I intend to look into working with local cafes to run ‘Tea, Cake and Make’ sessions
Though this is not an exhaustive list and Suitcase Studio is flexible and adaptable when it comes to possible activities.
