Outreach and Education

  • CAA aims to champion British fine craft and develop and encouraage the public's enjoyment and understanding of the applied arts. We do so by increasing access to craft and our many talented Makers from across the disciplines. We work with audiences who might not otherwise engage with fine craft, organising dedicated programmes which foster discussion and active participation with materials, technique and skill. 

     

    We are proud to have both Makers and craft enthusiasts volunteer in the gallery. Our valued volunteers facilitate an informal environment of mutual learning, support and inclusion.

     

    We also host events with explicit educational aims, from ‘Meet the Maker’ events to workshops with local children that coincide with exhibitions in the gallery. 

  • In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living... In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living... In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living... In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living... In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living...

    In May 2022 CAA Maker Agalis Manessi hosted a ceramics workshop in collaboration with AgeUK London, at the Healthy Living & Learning Centre, Southwark, as part of an Arts for Dementia initiative. 

     

    Participants spent time with clay creating small animal figures. 

     

    "I came to learn some things to teach my grandchildren. They always use plasticine, but it would be nice to use the proper thing. I know if I learn I can enhance other people's lives. It's like doing the child in me - I haven't done for years!" - Grace, 70 (a 'Platinum Baby', in her own words)

     

    "I used to pottery in the early '90, when I was actually in a day hospital, but I haven't had the chance to do it in a long time. It's relaxing, you can just let yourself go. It's the social part, coming and chatting and the chance to be creative." - Val, 62

     

    "I created a new species of animal - it's inbetween a rabbit and hog" - Stephen, 67

     

     

  • As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone... As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone... As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone... As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone... As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone...

    As the UK emerged from lockdown in 2021 we began building a relationship with our local state school, St Marylebone School. Year 10 and 11 students visited CAA Gallery for a talk presented by Maker Kuniko Maeda. Maeda held her first solo exhibition at CAA, showcasing her intricate paper sculptures at the gallery.

     

    Students closely examined her work, made using traditional Japanese craft techniques such as Kakishibu, as Maeda explained the sustainability ethos underpinning her practice. Pupils reported being inspired by seeing the work in situ, especially at a time when school trips to museums and galleries had been curtailed due to the pandemic. We also facilitated a Sashiko workshop for St Marylebone Textile Arts students. The two hour Sashiko session introduced pupils to craft traditions from other cultures and allowed students one-to-one time with a gifted CAA Maker.

  • To coincide with London Craft Week ‘21 Kuniko Maeda lead an intergenerational paper cutting workshop for fine craft fans of all ages; you can see some of the happy participants in our image gallery.