Volunteer Profile
NAME : MOLLY LEWIS AGE : 21 STUDENT : BA Fine Art, First Year,
Cardiff Metropolitan University (CSAD)
Why did you apply to become a volunteer with Locws International?
I wanted the experience of invigilating artworks, and to become more informed of what is around me artistically. I like experiencing new roles and feel it would benefit me to see what I like and don’t like doing for the future.
Describe why you thought you were suitable to be part of our volunteer team:
I am willing to have a go at anything. I am generally an outgoing person and feel confident when talking to new people. This is my first volunteering role in the field of art and design, but have previously volunteered for various charities which has given me some experience working with children and the general public.
Molly has written a series of diary entries during her time with Locws, her role mainly involved invigilating the Locws information hub and assisting to run the Craig Fisher Banner Workshops at the National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. Molly reflects on the program of artworks this year, and considers them in relation to her own practise.
17.5.14
I am new to Art Across the City. Last weekend I took part in Thomas Goddards Elephant procession around Swansea, this was a great way to plunge head-first into my volunteering role. The revival of the important story of Lizzie the elephant from the past has already been informative to what goes on around the city of Swansea and stories that I am unaware of.
Today is my third day volunteering for Locws, it has been the busiest day at the hub for me so far. Keeping an eye out for wandering hands on Craig Fishers Home Front has been a new task for me and talking about artworks that are based around the City is a skill that will progress over the weeks and be beneficial to my future invigilation tasks. Being in and around artworks that I aspire to such as Jeremy Deller More Poetry is Needed, and being able to work alongside Artists such as Thomas Goddard and next week with Craig Fisher is an experience that I will always have with me and I am very grateful to be a part of a volunteering role with Locws.What the charity is doing is really great, bringing the art scene in Swansea to life and informing locals and tourists of a wide range of local and international artists.
18.5.14
“Do people stay in Swansea after graduation?” This is a question asked after I had a conversation with a man about the art facilities in the city of Swansea. This is something to think about as I feel unaware of what is around Swansea for undergraduate art students like me. However there is plenty to find when you want to look for it. In response to the question, as an undergraduate from Cardiff, one of the reasons I chose the capital, is because I thought the art scene would be bigger and more vibrant. In some ways it is, because the connections and tourists are driven to Cardiff more so than Swansea. But then here I am, back in Swansea to volunteer with a well recognised art organisation. So sometimes it’s just a case of looking and finding things out for yourself rather than having them handed to you.
24.5.14
After a member of public wanted to know more about the artwork by Lisa Scantlebury ‘Some place to enter, enter into some place’ in Dylan Thomas Square, both myself and Sarah were a bit unsure on the subject so I decided to read up about her work in the brochure. Her work is a photograph, close up to two dancers feet. The statue of Dylan Thomas looks on at this piece of work, referencing his wife Caitlin who was once a promising dancer. The idea to incorporate an already existing sculpture as an interaction to her work is a really clever idea. Having the theme of Dylan Thomas running through her work it makes it more prominent as his statue sits and looks at it. When I first saw this piece, I wandered if there was any reference to the statue (admittedly not knowing it was Dylan Thomas) and now I know that there is. The most inspiring thing I found about this piece is that the packing crate structure refers to the cultural influence of Swansea’s trade links. At first I was unsure why the piece of work was a box shaped poster and wasn’t attracted to it at all, however now that I know the reference, it has made me think of materials and processes I could use within my art to have a meaning to everything, not just the idea expressed through print but what I print onto and how I exhibit my work.
The piece made me realise that in my own practice of art, I am more interested in the process and ideas behind the materials used, rather than the design or content. It is what the materials represent that appeals to me. Last weekend, Julia and I were talking about how if we had £100 given to us, which of the prints would we choose to buy and why. I would choose the Jeremy Deller piece as I know a little about his work and feel even though his outcome was very simple he had a good idea behind it. The greeting of the slogan is a positive and negative one. To me it doesn’t just relate to poetry but interaction with more people, humour and friendliness. It being in black and white then represents how these words aren’t put into action and how we aren’t free, fun and happy as we should be.
25.5.14
So far today has been a very fulfilling day, I have been based at the hub for the morning session, the Craig Fisher banner workshop has been a big attraction to young children today, the sessions are held next Craig’s sculpture so the children have seemed really inspired. With the workshops here for free and the children able to be creative as much as they want, its actually a nice diversion from telling children “don’t touch that” or “your not allowed to play with these” as Craig’s sculpture is really inviting for young children, its nice to be able to say “but you can play with all the craft materials over there, and make badges!” It’s a good way of getting out of the doghouse and turning their faces from frowns to smiles.
The second half of the day I have been distributing the photographic permission forms to the mums and dads of the children that attended the workshops. Just for the kids? No, of course the adults show their creative skills too! It has been an important experience as I have interacted with children and encouraged ideas and helped them to achieve creations, collages and badges that they can be proud of. Working as a team and with the other volunteers and colleagues has been great. While we are all delegated to our own jobs and tasks, we all still smiled and had a good time. It has been a fun, interactive and a creative environment today!
Here is Molly’s own blog and her post about her experience.
To become one of Locws volunteers, please download and complete the form below and return it to rebecca@locwsinternational.com or post to 16 J-shed, Kings Road, Swansea SA1 8PL
Locws Volunteer Application Form