University News Last updated 03 November 2023
‘The Birmingham City University (BCU) College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles will again host a Craft & Making National Saturday Club (NSC) as young Brummies’ develop their creativity and explore the world of craft activism.
The Saturday Club will help develop 13–16-year-olds’ skills in collage, drawing, printmaking, hand embellishment, metalwork, jewellery work, stop motion animation and moving image.
Victoria Coutts, Lecturer in Fashion Branding and Communication at BCU, will lead the National Saturday Club programme at the University and believes Saturday Club members will ‘find their voice’ and ‘ignite’ their self-expression.
This Saturday Club will build on BCU’s commitment to reusing and upcycling materials.
There will be an additional focus on how craft and making can engage Club members in conversations that promote equality, diversity, and good mental health.
Lee Lapthorne, Head of the College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles at BCU, believes the Saturday Club provides 'life-changing' opportunities for young people.
Using donated and waste materials, Club members will create a range of art activist outcomes, including T-shirts and storytelling banners, jewellery and short animated storytelling films.
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) support the Craft & Making National Saturday Club programme.
QEST CEO, Deborah Pocock LVO, says it's 'exciting’ to see a new group of young people sign up to the Club after last year's success.
"QEST's partnership with the National Saturday Club is all about inspiring and encouraging young people of all backgrounds across the UK to explore their creativity and hand-making skills," she said.
"Young people in and around Birmingham will immerse themselves in textiles, jewellery making, printmaking, embellishment, collage and drawing, using donated and waste materials.
"We are passionate about growing a new generation of professional craftspeople and makers, and that all starts here at our Craft & Making Clubs across the UK."
Paul Allnutt, UK Network Director at the National Saturday Club also expressed his ‘delight’ in the continued success of the Craft & Making Saturday Club at BCU.
The BCU National Saturday Club takes place over a series of Saturdays between November 2023 and May 2024.