We love celebrating the natural world and every day at our nursery, our staff capture images of what is happening at the beck and in the woodlands. We have an archive of thousands of images that over the years show the different seasons and the wildlife that have made Mires Beck their home. Dragonflies are a constant companion walking alongside the beck during the summer and each month we'd like to show the images that tell the story of our natural world as the seasons change. Visit our 12 month image bank.
With the focus on climate, conservation and community, we are looking at how our contribution to resolving the issue of climate change through our growing of plants and trees, can also help deliver revenue for improving facilities at the nursery, particularly for more profoundly disabled service users. We also recognise that for years our service users have created art and craft using the bounty of materials avaialble within our rural environment. They engage in art as a therapy, often taking the inspiration from their surroundings to help them feel calm, and to stimulate them to see form and recognise colour. We hope to do more work in this area but need to fundraise for more indoor working space.
We are lucky to have a reach to people working in the field of environmental art, whose creativity helps us to understand and admire what we may otherwise take for granted. Our aim with Green Social Prescribing is to launch a project in 2022 showcasing the connection between us all to nature. We will be working with a group of international artists to showcase the global environment story and the work at Mires Beck Nursery to hopefully presenting an exhibition in Hull from which to help raise funds for us to expand our facilities for our service users.
We Have Been Awarded the Funding!
We are so pleased to have been awarded the Green Art funding, as this opportunity will allow us to provide curated art sessions for people through the programme and local community wanting to join the project. Here they will learn to create art in nature as a therapy in our green landscape and horticultural setting. We are thrilled to be joined by two wonderful local artists who have agreed to become our teachers for the sessions at Mires Beck:
Emma Bateman (Artist):
"I absolutely loved my Art lesson. Emma is a great teacher, very patient and professional. I was thrilled with the painting I created – It proved that you are never too old to learn! Addicted now. I will be back for more lessons. Highly recommended” ~ Emma Barnes
"We invited Emma in as we wanted the children to study a female artist, plus we were exploring texture and Emma’s work links well to this.”
“She spent an afternoon with both of our Year 5 classes, and talked about her journey to getting to where she is now. “
“The class were then shown the varying techniques Emma uses to create different effects and texture in her paintings.”
“Each child then had the chance to produce their own paintings in a similar style to the artist.”
“The children thoroughly enjoyed the session, and produced some fantastic pieces of artwork. “
“It was great for them to have the opportunity to hear first-hand from a local person who has pursued her dreams and is making it a reality.” ~ Helen Hall – Head of Year 5, Howden Junior School, East Yorkshire
"My 1-2-1 art session with Emma at her studio in Gilberdyke was one of the best birthday presents I’ve ever had! I was really happy with the painting I did, and couldn’t wait to pick it up and take it home to show everyone!” ~ Georgina, age 12
If you would like to find out more about Emma's artwork and teaching, click on this link to go to her website.
Fiona Caley Photographer:
Fiona Caley is an East Yorkshire photographer and mixed media artist. She became self employed fifteen years ago after various life and work experiences. Being creative was no longer something she could ignore or keep as a hobby. Fiona started her career working as a commercial photographer, this took her across the country, however it also involved long and unsociable hours. Though the pay was excellent over time she developed her community work, to include working with women, schools, young people, disabled and individuals both locally and further afield.
At the heart of her creativity is a love of working with people to encourage space and time on activities to build skills, confidence and not least enable self-expression. Fiona was born on a farm, and for the last few years has combined her love of the landscape, working with people and creativity on a local farm open to people who benefit from time spent there. Fiona also spent time in a shipping container studio on an urban farm in Hull as artist in residence. “I am motivated by what both the land and creativity can offer. In my own life both have weaved their magic within me. Through sadness and joy they have restored, inspired and healed” She was a carer for her father for some years, and is now rebuilding her work portfolio to include regular group art and photography work across East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Fiona gained her industry acknowledged CEVAS personnel accreditation specifically for use in therapeutic practise.
To find out more about this artist, please click the button below to her website.
If you would like to join this group, please email karen@miresbeck.co.uk and we will give you an information sheet.
Working to Create An Exhibition For the Charity Introducing the Work of International Artists
September contribution -Video of woodland sculpture .
Vanessa Teixeira
September Art
On Saturday, we took part in the Yorkshire Wolds Walking and Outdoor Festival by inviting members of the public to walk in our woodland, create art using the materials they collected while enjoying tea/coffee and scones! The art work they have produced represents how important, colourful and creative our rural landscape is, and how proud we are to have our charity in the rolling hills of beautiful Yorkshire.
All projects require fundraising and we are always looking for new sponsors and volunteers to help us realise the future aspirations to maintain the charity and help it to thrive. If you would like to help please contact us.