Ruthie Ford, starter studio artist in Engaged Practice, devised and managed a three week project with Longley Park 6th Form college students.  The students were introduced to 3 different allotment sites: LEAF in Longley Park; HUERTA guerilla garden at Persistence Works Studios; and the allotments at Manor Oaks Studios where the food produced ends up in the on-site cafe farmshop.  

The allotment gardens served as inspiration for the designs of silver spoon made in the Persistence Works Silversmith studio where Drew Sutherland and Sally Cox taught the group of 8 students to skills and techniques of forging, raising and soldering.  

"This is something that we would never be able to teach our students at Longley Park College.  It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm and the unique designs the students have come up with" Rob, tutor at Longley Park

The students will continue to improve their making skills later in July when they will visit Manor Oaks Studios where they will work with starter ceramicist Miles Gavin to make and decorate a ceramic bowl.  The students will also be treated to a bowl of soup at the farmshop cafe made with locally produced food.

The rproject is supported by the Sheffield Church Burgesses Educational Foundation. You can follow progress on Ruthie's blogsite MakeDoGrow