This in from the council, in their own words. Ed
Using a grant from Arts Council England, Ryde Library is working with Island artist Teresa Grimaldi to create a life-size family of “Under Cover” textile/fabric characters. This family was inspired by the recently republished “Mennyms” novels by Sylvia Waugh (Winner of the 1994 Guardian Children’s Fiction Award).
This family will be created by a variety of local groups, and will emerge from cover to inhabit the town in late June 2015, for the period of Ryde Arts Festival.
Collaboration with Hannah George
Ryde Library is also commissioning artist Hannah George to edit a series of broadsheets, to publicise the “Under Cover” workshops and other activities.
The broadsheets will act as an artwork in their own right, incorporating photography, sketches of work-in-progress, creating back stories for the various characters, raising anticipation levels prior to their appearance in the town.
A fun addition to Ryde Arts Festival
Councillor Shirley Smart, Executive member for economy and tourism, said:
“This is a great project using the skills of talented local artists to inspire the local community, while encouraging people to visit their local library.
“I look forward to seeing the new family members around the town this summer, in what will be a fun addition to Ryde Arts Festival.”
Ryde Library will play an active role in the town’s 2015 arts festival and will include regular high-quality art and crafts workshops in the library schedules, to link with groups who have little history of arts participation. Library staff will be involved in the activities, leading to a legacy of skills and equipment for the future.
To find out more about the “Under Cover” project, please visit Ryde Library or call (01983) 562170.
Image: © With kind permission of Julian Winslow
