Former teachers team up to launch creative learning business despite Covid-19 setback
Two former Visual Arts teachers from Wilberforce College have joined forces to bring creative learning courses to East Yorkshire.
Holly Davis from Pocklington and Sarah Rands from Cottingham set up Thread and Press Creative Learning pre-lockdown but have only recently been able to start delivering courses.
Thread and Press offers a range ofadult courses including Screen-printing, Printmaking, Basic and Comprehensive Sewing and Creative Stitch and run after school, weekend and holiday ‘Get Creative' sessions for eight-16 year olds that teach skills including sewing, fashion illustration, screen-printing, printmaking, craft and fine art illustration.
"Our objectives are to boost the creative learning provision in the East Riding, Humberside and York areas and to teach the value of creativity and how it can be translated into many future opportunities. We promote creativity and provide contemporary workshops using equipment and facilities that schools or communities may not currently have access to," said Ms. Davis.
"Ultimately, we hope to help improve mental wellbeing with the power of creativity. We know how much creativity can improve your life, especially in these challenging times, and we want to bring that joy to others.
"We have had marvellous feedback from our young learners and their parents, they have been thrilled with the results. I have a few parents tell me their child immediately asked for a sewing machine on returning home!"
Anne Taylor's daughters attended a Thread and Press holiday course in Melbourne:"They absolutely loved the holiday classes and created some amazing pieces. They are both crafty but really enjoyed guidance from Holly to use their creativity to come up with some fabulous items from artworks to aprons, cushions and more! Highly recommended!"
Course costs vary depending on duration and are booked in half term blocks. A block booking would typically cost approximately £140 per adult for seven two hour sessions and £70 for a child for seven 1.5 hour sessions. The cost includes all materials and equipment, including sewing machines. They take place at various venues throughout East Yorkshire.
In addition to group courses, Thread and Press alsooffers one-to-one tuition in sewing and printing within peoples' own homes plus sewing sessions for families, small groups, and small parties, in accordance with government guidelines.
Ms. Davis concluded: "We like to think of our course offers as offering the friendly informality of a creative community groups with the structure and expertise you might expect from an education institution."
Ends
Photograph caption: L-R Sarah Rands and Holly Davis from Thread and Press Sarah Rands and Holly Davis
For more information or to arrange an interview withHolly Davis or Sarah Randsplease call07919404498 (Holly) or 07547663453 (Sarah).
Notes to editors
- When lockdown struck and the pair were unable to earn money by delivering Thread and Press's Easter courses, Ms. Davis and Ms. Rands set up a Kickstarter campaign to raise money by selling kits for creative activities that people could work on at home. The campaign was successful and raised valuable funds towards their set up costs.
- During lockdown, the pair also set up a free community art group, Draw and Create, which has over 1800 members. They posted 100 daily drawing challenges, giving people a focus and a creative purpose within their day and they received much positive feedback to say how much creativity had helped them in these unusual times.