Paper Birds Project
In the autumn of 2023 Making Space collaborated with artist Tracey Bush and Hampshire Libraries to deliver creative workshops and craft kits to 40 Hampshire Libraries.
The project responded to the themes of sanctuary and arriving here from another country, through global migration, and the comforting image of a flock. Very few birds stay in the same place their whole lives. Most move to find a good food source, either so that they can raise a family or just survive. Some of these migrations are short, but many birds make truly epic journeys, crossing continents and oceans. We worked with participants in Hampshire libraries to provide workshops creating birds in colours of all nations. The project involved papercraft, collage & illustration. The activity was designed by renowned paper artist Tracey Bush.
Workshops
Creative workshops took place at various libraries between 18 October – 25 November
Working with experienced makers from Making Space, participants learnt how to make beautiful paper birds in response to the themes of sanctuary and migration. Each participant created two birds that represented their heritage or simply their home, one to takehome and one to donate to a flock, which will become part of an installation in 2024.
The workshops were free including materials, participants could also bring along any papers / maps / images that inspired them, that theywanted to use in their finished pieces. The event was designed for adults 18+, however children aged 7+ were able to attend with an adult.
Craft Kits
Craft Activity Kits were also distributed to the following libraries. They are free to access and you can make your own bird to take home and/or donate to the flock:
Aldershot Library, Alresford Library, Alton Library, Andover Library, Basingstoke Discovery Centre, Bishops Waltham Library, Bordon Library, Bridgemary Library, Chandler’s Ford Library, Chineham Library, Eastleigh Library, Emsworth Library, Fareham Library, Farnborough Library, Fleet Library, Fordingbridge Library, Gosport Discovery Centre, Havant Library, Hayling Island Library, Hedge End Library, Hythe Library, Leigh Park Library, Liphook Library, Lockswood Library, Lymington Library, Netley Library, New Milton Library, Overton Library, Petersfield Library, Portchester Library, Ringwood Library, Romsey Library, Stubbington Library, Tadley Library, Totton Library, Waterlooville Library, West End Library, Whitchurch Library, Winchester Library, Yateley Library
The Activity
If you would like to make a bird at home, to keep or to donate to the flock, you can also download the instructions and templates below.
Finished birds can be posted to Making Space, 2 Bishopstoke Road, Leigh Park, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 5BN.
