A new project is bringing together members of Gloucester’s community groups, young people and artists with a team of creatives to develop exciting new art inspired by the National Waterways Museum Gloucester’s canal folk art collection.
In the same way that 19th century canal boat people used folk art to proudly enhance their environment and define their identities, the Folk for Folk project is creating folk art for the 21st century.
The works explore subjects that are important to Gloucestershire’s diverse communities — from housing and living conditions to relationships, personal identity, families and friends.
Taking place from Saturday 23 March until Saturday 27 April 2024, more than 50 people are contributing to the project, with the finished works including textiles, paintings, sculpture, digital art and photography.
Bold and colourful, telling fascinating stories of individuality, aspiration and a fierce pride, the artwork is a thought-provoking and modern take on canal folk art.
It's also a collaboration, bringing together Gloucestershire Arts & Social Projects, Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children, Matson Makers, Art School Matson, the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire College and Creative Sustainability.
There will be folk art activities for families throughout the exhibition, including a stamping activity to make a folk art postcard.
Folk for Folk is funded by Arts Council England’s Unlocking Collections grant.
