Education
I gained PGCE in Art and Design (Secondary) at Manchester Metropolitan University in June 2005.
Teaching Experience to date
Part time teaching OND / HND Surface Pattern at Dewsbury and Batley Technical College, November 1983 - February 1984.
I assisted regularly with Art days, school visits and excursions at St. Georges C of E Primary School from 1995 to 2006
Assisting at Monoprint workshop at Salford Art Gallery, Easter 2004
Assisting at Hillcrest Grammar School, Stockport, spring term 2004
Assisting at Stockport School, spring term 2004
Induction Placement, New Mills School, October 2004
Block A Placement, Cheadle Hulme College, Stockport,
November to December 2004
Primary Placement, St. George's C of E, January 2005
Post 16 Placement, Aquinas College, Stockport, January 2005
Skills Sharing Workshop at MMU, January 2005
Block B Placement, Bramhall High School, Stockport, January - May 2005
Whitworth Art Gallery (during the Enrichment phase of PGCE); in collaboration with other PGCE students in devising and delivering a one day workshop for year 7 gifted and talented pupils, June 2005
I devised and delivered a day's workshop based around the theme of African Art for all year 3 pupils at St. George's Primary School. We created vibrant collaborative hangings inspired by Kente woven textiles.
I taught Art and Design at Cheadle Hulme School for one term May to July 2006 (Maternity cover). Whilst at Cheadle Hulme School I taught from Key stage 3 up to GCSE and A-level. One of the projects (with year 7 class) included making hand made mark making tools a to create expressive experimental ink drawings of plant forms. We also looked at the work of Karl Blossfeldt and Peter Randall Page. Pupils then developed their drawings, firstly into large monoprints. then into wire structures. I worked with two Key stage 2 classes showing pupils how to construct and use their own personal sketchbooks. We looked at journal artists such as Teesha Moore, Sabrina Ward Harrison and Dan Eldon in particular to encourage pupils to be experimental in their approach to their sketchbooks.
I taught at Stockport School (Mile End) from November 2006 until May 2007 (maternity cover). Here I enjoyed developing the concept of making hand made sketchbooks with both year 8 and year 10 pupils, on themes of insects (8) and Gaudi (10). This is a particular passion of mine, I love to encourage pupils to firstly construct, then use their books to capture ideas and develop an experimental approach. I feel it is important not to have any preconceptions as to how one's work may develop.
While at Stockport school I was involved in outreach work with Primary schools in the Stockport area, one of which was Mellor Primary. There I worked with two Key stage 2 classes showing pupils how to construct and use their own personal sketchbooks. One class were looking at the theme of Aztec art, the other class were researching L.S. Lowry. Both classes displayed thoughtful use of colour, mixed media, text and layout.
I have continued working with Stockport Continuing Education, implementing Art or craft -based workshops both in Primary schools and within the community, working with adults and children alike. These have been based on a range of themes and activities including hand made Christmas crafts, Christmas pop up story books, African Art, Local history/architecture, Sri Lanka batik. I ran a Two Day Family Learning workshop at Stockport Art Gallery making spooky hand made pop-up books (through Stockport Continuing Education Services) October 2006.
Since completing a PGCE (Secondary; Art and Design) in June 2005 I am available for art workshops and/or residencies in schools.
I own a small portable printing press and have use techniques including etching, aquatint, dry point and collograph. Collograph plates are prepared using collage techniques to create a relief ‘plate’; scraps of textile, textured papers, metal card often pieces of antique embroidery are affixed to card using PVA glue. The ‘plate’ is then inked and a print taken using intaglio printing press.This is a simple technique to introduce to pupils; printing is a very worthwhile experience for anyone taking part.
I have my own portable press that I am happy to bring along to schools; in addition I use water based inks for health and safety reasons. The variety of techniques to use is extensive and offers pupils the opportunity to use specialist materials and techniques.
I aim to encourage pupils to appreciate and engage with the creative process, and reflect on how the use of new techniques can inspire and challenge. As a practicing artist I can discuss with pupils how I use sketchbooks and artist books to develop ideas and collate information, stressing the importance of keeping a visual record of all that inspires and motivates. Sketchbook keeping can help develop self-expression, confidence and self-esteem!
Since graduating in 1983 I have worked in a diverse range of media. Using collage and mixed media and an investigational approach to creating images I have explored the creative process through experimentation and serendipity!
My workshops are priced individually depending upon group sizes and materials. Please feel free to contact me at joannaallen7@hotmail.co.uk with your ideas and questions.
More recently I have been running collograph workshops from my own studio space in Hallam Mill in Stockport. Please click here for more information.
