In our element; a creative collaboration – acoustic panels for the Redwoods Centre.

In our element, with creative acoustic panels for the Redwoods Centre.  

This week is a celebration of our recent collaboration with The Redwoods Centre, a series of beautiful screen printed acoustic panels for the foyer area. 

I met with Jess Kent, who is Arts for Health Lead with Midland Partnership University Foundation Trust. We spent some time on a video call discussing the collaboration. Jess coordinates all the art at the Redwoods Centre told me that she has been working with Designs in Mind since 2012, back when we were under the moniker of ‘The Project Group’.  Jess had access to a small amount of funds for art services within the Trust. Jess chose us as our mission is aligned with theirs. Back in 2012, as The Project Group, we created a number of panels to be on display in the entrance to The Wrekin Adult Wards. Jess contacted Designs in Mind so this area could be refreshed. 

Jo Screen Printing Redwoods Copy - Designs in MindInitially, Bridie met with Jess on a visit to Redwoods with some of our Members and they spent time talking with patients about what designs they’d like to see on the walls. During our Designs in Mind studio sessions we explored the theme that the persons spending time at the Redwoods had identified. These were, excitingly; Fire, Water, Air, Earth, Space/Ether. 

 We Members started with a brainstorming exercise in Designs in Mind, on our studio days. We wrote down what words, came redwoods earth - Designs in Mindto mind when each theme was said aloud, jotting down all the words associated with those 5 elements. What has unfolded from that brainstorm is absolutely stunning and will be such a vibrant showcase of our Members’ talents. 

 Bridie, our Artist Lead, came up with the idea of running workshops at Redwoods, where our Members could work alongside patients on the wards to create brightly coloured collages. These images would then be selected to co-create 5 designs for bright and layered acoustic screen-printed panels. The panels are ‘acoustic,’ meaning that they absorb sound from the foyer and make it a more comfortable space to be in. We visited the Redwoods to run workshops with the people spending time there. Once the designs from those collaborative workshops were selected from the original varied sized pieces of paper, Bridie pulled together the elements which best fit the brief of ‘the elements.’ The resultant design brings together Members’ and patients’ designs. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing these being scaled up into large, hand cut stencils, by our Artist volunteer, Richard. redwoods space - Designs in Mind

 Jess was excited that our collaboration is bringing a bright and bold new feel and acoustic environment to the entrance of Redwoods. I asked Jess to share her thoughts on the recent project with us, Jess said: “It’s always great to work with Designs in Mind, as we have such a long history together. I am a big fan of their great set up and their art commissions they create for local services are inspiring and well-led . We will continue to collaborate in the future.’’ 

 ‘’The wonderful workshops that were facilitated by staff and members certainly have been a great opportunity for our patients at Redwoods to participate in. Plus, to see Designs in Mind Members thriving in the community brings a real sense of hope and inspiration for the future, to our patients in hospital”. A person screen printing a brightly coloured fabric

Not only was this a collaboration between Redwoods and Designs in Mind, it was also a real collaborative effort from our Members, staff and volunteers. Ros, our volunteer shared her involvement in this commission: “I worked on the water and fire panels, drawing the stencils from the master copy, ready for cutting to screen print. Each colour has to have it’s own stencil ready for printing. The panels are big and it involved climbing on the tables in the downstairs studio to keep the paper flat”. 

 Adam, our Member and shop Volunteer, shared: “My involvement in the Redwoods project has primarily been in screen printing the final panels, based on the designs pulled together from Members work.  So far, I’ve worked on 2 panels over a few months, working on them with other Members, which has been a really interesting experience. I’ve only done small scale screenprinting before, so working on such a large canvas with so many colours, with parts that need blocking out has been a challenge! Yet, it’s also really helped to take away my fear of the process. When I started working on them I was afraid of making a mistake every time I laid the ink down or started pulling it! Over time I’ve become a lot more confident with being more flexible and understanding how to solve any problems on the fly. Myself and the others, involved are getting used to working with 3 of us, we have developed a good method of getting as much as we can get done in the few hours that we work. I’m excited to work on the rest of the panels”. 

Designs in Mind’s CEO, Ruth Mills, said “The Redwoods panels are looking beautiful, they so vibrant and full of life. It is brilliant that we have been able to collaborate with the Redwoods as our two organisations are closely aligned. The work has been truly collaborative, both regarding the design, and also every step of the production of the panels. From cutting the stencils, to hand printing each element, to stretching the fabric on the frames, so many Members, Staff and Volunteers have been getting stuck in. Everyone at Designs in Mind is super excited to see the panels completed and installed. ”

We extend a huge thanks to Redwoods and Jess for choosing us to design for them again, and thanks to everyone involved in this project which has allowed our two organisations to collaborate, in order to improve mental health through purposeful art and design. 

Blog Written & researched by Willow,  Member & Social Media Coordinator