Shieldfield Art Works
Creating Fallow
‘Creating Fallow’ is an intentionally slow-burning (2 year) arts programme based at Shieldfield Art Works (SAW), asserting the importance of rest, informed by the concept of Sabbath and a respect for seasonality and human limitations.
Through workshops, exhibitions, writing and reflective activities, Creating Fallow will consider the barriers to rest in our society, demonstrate the power of creativity in providing joyful rest, and encourage participation in community building over individualistic consumption.
Who we are:
Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice.
We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways.
We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.
Why ‘Creating Fallow’?
The struggle to find rest is common amongst the diverse groups and individuals we work with, and one which SAW is not immune to - sensing a pressure to constantly produce new exhibitions, yet also believing in the importance of a rhythm of rest and reflection to enable actions of quality and care, rather than of mass production.
We want to communicate SAW’s value of ‘rest and rhythm’ beyond SAW and reveal its importance for society as a whole. We are inspired by faith in a God who rested after creating, who commanded Sabbath rest and offers eternal rest for those trusting in him, and as God incarnate took time to withdraw and pray. We will research and programme creative and reflective activity around the topic of rest and Sabbath so that we can share our learning (including its theological underpinning), inspiring others to find joy and peace through taking this topic seriously.
What we will do:
A documentary will be created about our 'Painting for Fun' group, developed with and by the group’s participants, under the guidance of an experienced professional filmmaker. The film will share their stories of personal transformation made possible by participation in the group and demonstrate the healing power of the arts and resting through communal, creative activity.
A Creating Fallow publication, exhibition, study day, plus development of SAW building and garden retreat space and reflection materials. The programme will leave a legacy beyond the initial 2 years, with visitors to SAW enabled to enter into their own times of reflection or self-led retreat due to materials developed.
Input from our regular groups (Craft Action Collective, Painting for Fun, Shieldfield Grows, SAW Reflects) will showcase in the project’s culminating exhibition. All groups will be given prompts/activities over the 2 years which will guide them in exploring the theme. Their works’ inclusion in the exhibition, whilst exploring Sabbath/rest, will also draw attention to SAW's groups in order to garner further participation in these after Creating Fallow has ended.
Through workshops, exhibitions, writing and reflective activities, Creating Fallow will consider the barriers to rest in our society, demonstrate the power of creativity in providing joyful rest, and encourage participation in community building over individualistic consumption.
Who we are:
Shieldfield Art Works (SAW) is a project of the Methodist Church in Newcastle upon Tyne which is seeking the good of the city through creative practice.
We are a team of artists who support others to be creative, and use our creativity to support others. We believe that the arts help us to articulate what it is to be human and that arts participation enables joy and flourishing in unique and unexpected ways.
We are blessed with a gallery, workshop room and garden on our site in Shieldfield and so try to organise ways for these assets to be a blessing to our local community.
Why ‘Creating Fallow’?
The struggle to find rest is common amongst the diverse groups and individuals we work with, and one which SAW is not immune to - sensing a pressure to constantly produce new exhibitions, yet also believing in the importance of a rhythm of rest and reflection to enable actions of quality and care, rather than of mass production.
We want to communicate SAW’s value of ‘rest and rhythm’ beyond SAW and reveal its importance for society as a whole. We are inspired by faith in a God who rested after creating, who commanded Sabbath rest and offers eternal rest for those trusting in him, and as God incarnate took time to withdraw and pray. We will research and programme creative and reflective activity around the topic of rest and Sabbath so that we can share our learning (including its theological underpinning), inspiring others to find joy and peace through taking this topic seriously.
What we will do:
A documentary will be created about our 'Painting for Fun' group, developed with and by the group’s participants, under the guidance of an experienced professional filmmaker. The film will share their stories of personal transformation made possible by participation in the group and demonstrate the healing power of the arts and resting through communal, creative activity.
A Creating Fallow publication, exhibition, study day, plus development of SAW building and garden retreat space and reflection materials. The programme will leave a legacy beyond the initial 2 years, with visitors to SAW enabled to enter into their own times of reflection or self-led retreat due to materials developed.
Input from our regular groups (Craft Action Collective, Painting for Fun, Shieldfield Grows, SAW Reflects) will showcase in the project’s culminating exhibition. All groups will be given prompts/activities over the 2 years which will guide them in exploring the theme. Their works’ inclusion in the exhibition, whilst exploring Sabbath/rest, will also draw attention to SAW's groups in order to garner further participation in these after Creating Fallow has ended.
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