It’s Show Time!!!!
This week in #thecraftycupboard @thegugg we are making a doorway theatre for the puppets we made last week…You are going to need a large, or two medium sized, cardboard boxes and a kit from the cupboard. There are still a few puppet making kits available too if you wish to swell your cast…but if you don’t want to make any just use Barbie and Ken….teddy and panda or draw a face on a wooden spoon or two!
1. Including your kit from the Crafty Cupboard you will also need one large, or two medium sized, cardboard boxes, some strong, wide tape, a sharp craft knife, a bradle [or skewer], some scissors, a permanent marker, PVA, poster paint…… 
2. ……and a door! 
3. First of all flatten your box[es], cutting along one corner with your craft knife [get an adult to do this for you – craft knives are sharp!] to create a long, flat piece. 
4. Offer one piece of cardboard up to your door and mark the point at which it fits, snuggly, between the two door jambs. 
5. Cut your cardboard into sections of the same width as the door. [TIP: use your adult to do the craft knife bits…] 
6. Depending upon the size of your cardboard box[es] this will determine how many pieces you will need in order to create…… 
7. ….a flat piece that, when taped together and stood on end, is tall enough in the doorway for you to stand behind unseen, plus an extra 30cms or so taller; to create the stage surround. [TIP: make sure that you tape the cardboard pieces together on the side that was originally the outside of the box so that any labels or lettering will eventually be on the back side of the doorway theatre]. 
8. Use any left over carboard to strengthen taped joints. 
9. Flip over the sheet and, using your marker pen, create the design for your theatre. Draw a box for where the ‘stage’ will be. [TIP: if you lay down next to the sheet of cardboard you can ensure that the square for the stage is low to mid eye level for your height]. 
10. Start painting! [TIP: start with lighter colours first, then move to the darker ones and let each colour dry thoroughly before moving on to the next]. 
11. Let the theatre dry thoroughly and then…. 
12. …add the rest of your design elements using materials and card from the Crafty Cupboard, or anything you have at home. Then with the craft knife, carefully or using an adult, cut out and remove the stage rectangle to create your puppet theatre stage opening. 
13. Next, take the material you have selected for your stage curtains and use the cut out piece of card as a template to determine the size they will need to be. Leave at least 5-8cms around each edge. 
14. Cut the material into equal halves. 
15. Using the bradle make an even number of holes at an equal distance, along the top edge of your two curtains. 
16. thread the two curtains onto your cane, starting from front to back. 
17. Lay your curtain ‘rail’ on to the theatre and make two marks near to where each end of where the cane reaches above the ‘stage’ hole [as shown]. 
18. Using your craft knife cut two slits where your marks are and then thread the cane through from back to front to back [as shown] and then secure the cane front and back with tape. 
19. Disguise the cane holes with a design element. This will mean that your curtain ‘pole’ is behind the scenes but that the curtains can hang over in front. 
20. Using your sharp skewer/bradle make two holes along the top of your theatre and add string to hang it in the doorway. then with a marker pen, or more paint, name your theatre! 
21. Create the opportunity to use interchangeable scenery by placing two split pins from front to back, just above the curtains. 
22. You can then either paint scenery or use a plain backdrop for your shows by simply adding or removing sheets of paper from the back. 
23. Adjust the length of the string to the right length so that , when it is hung from a tack or drawing pin from the top of the door, your theatre reaches all the way to the floor. 
24 Your theatre is complete…. 
Select your puppets and entertain your family and friends! 
You can even star in the show yourself! Puppets not muppets
1, pick up your kit from the bag below the Crafty Cupboard! 
2, you will also need: some duct tape, paints and pencils, some cardboard [an old cereal box is perfect] a bradle or other sharp point, and some scissors 
3, using the stiff card supplied draw the outline of the front of your character puppet, without arms, and two arms separately 
4, using the less stiff card draw around the cut out of the body from the last step to create the back 
5, paint the bodies and arms and leave to dry 
6, once dry make six holes corresponding to the photo in the bodies and arms [ask and adult to do the sharp bits!] make sure that the holes in the body line up with the holes on the arms that are nearer to the elbows 
7, using duct tape attach the longer of your two green sticks to the stiff body front 
8, using the piece of string provided, tie the arms together, leaving enough string to attach the shorter stick as shown [tip: do not tie the arms together too tightly, make sure that there is enough ‘play’ in the string for the arms to move up and down] 
9, place the arms with the holes lined up and have your split pins to hand 
10, push your split pins through from the front 
11, the pins should emerge from the two holes nearer to the elbow 
12, using another piece of duct tape create a ‘loop’ over the two sticks, leaving the sticky side up 
13, now place your back onto the puppet, pushing it down firmly onto the sticky side of the tape and opening the split pins [tip: do not open the pins right at the base or push them in or down too firmly – you need to keep the arms free to move] 
14, using your pencils, or any other decoration you may have or can pick up from the Crafty Cupboard, decorate your puppet and give it a face 
15, wave! Paper bag bunting!
Here are the #craftycupboard paper bag bunting ‘how to’s:
1. Collect your kit from the cupboard! 
2. You will also need: scissors, an iron and a cheese grater…. 
3. Mark out and cut out your bag flags: REMEMBER to make sure the bottom of the bag is the top of the flag…. 
4. Grate your crayons! 
5. Place your string along the fold of the bag flag and sprinkle your crayon shavings in a random or planned fashion… 
6. Fold the bag flag over 
7. Iron carefully on MEDIUM heat 
8. Tie off the string one side with a loop for hanging up with later 
9. Repeat as many times as you have string and bags, whilst remembering to leave enough string over to tie a loop at the end…. 
10. Hang your bunting! REMEMBER PLEASE: Get an adult to do the dangerous bits (they love it), keep away from fire when complete, your bunting is not water proof! AND ALWAYS wash your hands! Happy Bunting!!!
Stalbridge Goes Wild! Bee Project
In the Crafty Cupboard we now have pom-pom bee making kits…. lets not forget that, while we are all home the bees are still out working!In the last few weeks before lockdown the Stalbridge goes Wild! [opens on their FACEBOOK page] Team have been preparing the ground and sowing wildflower seeds in locations around Stalbridge and the first few shoots are starting to show!
So let’s help the bees get to work by putting up some signposts!
Simply click on here to go to our pom-pom bee making instruction page – huge apologies for the state of my bee – I am sure you can all do WAY better [I think mine might actually put them off!]
AAAARRGGHHHHH….. I’m more of a painter than a crafter, sorry bees, so I guess its ‘back to the drawing board’ for me….Can’t wait to see your bees’ knees!
EASTER BONNET COMPO!
Happy to announce that Dike & Sons are providing all the prizes for this HOORAY!It’s a ‘my locked down family’ affair so let’s have asmany families/not families/relations/pets and cohabitants having some creative fun! Please hand decorate your hats and enter by sending a group photo by 6pm on Easter Monday to: deannetremlett@milkspace.co.uk
The most eggciting photo will win Easter Eggs for all the family thanks to the most eggstroadinary eggenerosity of Dike & Sons, and that’s no yoke!
Wendy Elia RWA in the Milking Parlour
Sadly this exhibition had to close prematurely. Those who saw it before that, however, described it as one of the best they had seen in the region for some time. Here you can see it in all it’s glory…. WARNING MALE NUDITY. Thank you to Wendy Elia RWA for entrusting her work to the Gugg.Click on the poster and take a walk with Wendy….
Waving but not drowning
Following advice from Public Health England we have taken the decision to suspend and postpone all of our public facing work at this time. Small sessions, one to ones and individual creative practices will continue on site at the discretion of those involved.We will be looking at new and easy ways to keep our community creating over the next few weeks so watch this space…..
In the meantime let’s all give each other a wave, through windows, in cars and across our social distancing spaces. A happy greeting can make us smile, exercise our arms and release endorphins! Its safe, germ free, and makes all the difference when you know that someone cares that you are acknowledged and happy. Waving but not drowning. Give us a wave.
Wendy Elia RWA Artist Talk and reception Friday 6-8pm
This Friday [March 20] the artist, Wendy Elia RWA, will be talking alongside a selection of her significant works to detain the Milking Parlour Gallery between 6-8pm*.
Wendy, who has been shortlisted for the National Portrait Gallery’s Annual award 4 times, has exhibited and taught widely in London and the is her first major show in the South West.
“When Wendy Elia paints a person they don’t look away’ – Laura Bushell
Wendy works in series which explore the social and broader contexts of our times. In her portrait work she confronts our voyeurism and asks questions about the female gaze and painting’s relationship to authenticity and illusion. Elia moves from the personal to the political not only in the range of content and form in the various series, but also within individual paintings: using a range of pictorial symbols and signifiers to extend the meaning/narrative of the works. She trained at St Martins School of Art, London and has exhibited widely being a finalist in a number of national and international competitions [including 4 times at the National Portrait Gallery] as well as The Sovereign European Art Prize, and The Threadneedle Prize. Her work is also held in a number of public permanent art collections across the country.
In 2012 she was commissioned by Sherborne House Arts and B-side (funded by the arts council) to paint a portrait of a local sports person as part of the cultural Olympiad in Weymouth and Portland.
*PLEASE NOTE: This event will take place, in line with current PHE guidelines [Public Health England] unless these change beforehand. Measures will be in place on admittance to mitigate the spread of infection, please attend responsibly.
COVID-19
Dear Guggleton supporter and visitor,
Just to update you on the steps we are taking to help minimise the spread of COVID-19.
We are continuing to follow and monitor official guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England carefully. It is of vital importance for us to be in a position to ensure that any and all procedures are in place to support the health and well-being of everyone.
To help combat the spread of COVID-19, we have been putting precautionary safety measures in place, including:
Educating our team on prevention
Emphasizing frequent and proper hand washing
Cleaning high contact points more frequently
In line with government guidance, we are continuing to operate as usual. We will continue to keep in touch with you and follow official guidance from the UK Government and Public Health England carefully.
Best wishes,
The Guggleton Team
Wendy Elia Masterclass
To coincide with her Guggleton Exhibition – ‘WENDY ELIA – Significant Works to date’ [in the Milking Parlour Gallery 7-28TH MARCH], Wendy will be teaching a Masterclass in oils, mixing and portraiture.
On the 21st of March you are invited to join Wendy between 10.30 and 4.30 for a full days’ class and light lunch. Places cost £80 and are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. You can secure yours by either using the contact form below or calling the gallery on 01963 363456.
Wendy works in series which explore the social and broader contexts of our times. In her portrait work she confronts our voyeurism and asks questions about the female gaze and painting’s relationship to authenticity and illusion.
Elia moves from the personal to the political not only in the range of content and form in the various series, but also within individual paintings: using a range of pictorial symbols and signifiers to extend the meaning/narrative of the works.
She trained at St Martins School of Art, London and has exhibited widely being a finalist in a number of national and international competitions which include 4 times at the National Portrait Gallery, as well as The Sovereign European Art Prize, and The Threadneedle Prize. Her work is also held in a number of public permanent art collections across the country.
In 2012 she was commissioned by Sherborne House Arts and B-side (funded by the arts council) to paint a portrait of a local sports person as part of the Cultural Olympiad in Weymouth and Portland. Her work appeared across the town in poster form on walls and bus shelters as part of the Olympiad curated by Deanne Tremlett.
Commissions, and Competitions
No Fields Found.2019 Elected as an Academician at the RWA (Royal West of England Academy)
2017 Grant awarded from the Pollock-Krasner Foundation NYC
2015 Arts Council – Commission for Shifting Subjects group show with Sarah Lucas, Miranda Whall & Co
2012 Arts Council – commission for Cultural Olympiad: Sherborne House Arts and B- side maritime mix. Body Extreme- portrait for Weymouth and Portland poster and bus stops display.
2012 – 2013 Arts Council – Grant for ‘Histories in the Age of Confusion’
2011/2010/1982/1983 Finalist and Exhibitor at the National Portrait Gallery London BP portrait award. John Players portrait award.
2010 Exhibition Finalist – Threadneedle Prize London
2010 Lynn Painter – Stainers prize finalist London
2009 Sovereign European Art Prize Finalist and public vote winner
