Astronauts, Astronomy and Ancrum Primary School…. An afternoon that was out of this world!

After weeks of planning and preparation we are excited to welcome visitors back to  Mills Observatory, just in time to kick start our winter season!

Gifted to the people of Dundee in 1935, Mills Observatory is Britain’s first purpose built public observatory. The facility is named after linen and twine manufacturer John Mills, who gifted money in his will for the observatory to be constructed.

Located on the peak of Balgay Hill surrounded by magnificent woodland surroundings, more than 10,000 people each year visit The Observatory and make use of its unique facilities. On the upper level of the building you can enjoy breath-taking views of the stars and planets through the impressive Victorian refracting telescope.

Recently there has been work has been carried out to repair the Observatory’s star feature… The Dome! Specialist work to repair the historical dome, made of papier-mâché and a steel framework began in August with a planned re-launch event scheduled for November. During this time The Creative Learning team have been orbiting between our studio space and  Mills Observatory preparing, re-stocking and re-vamping all our learning resources! From Art-Cart turned Astro-Cart, Aliens to Astronaut costumes and word searches to workshops… just in time to begin our exciting Winter Programme!

On Friday the 1^st November we were delighted to host a re-opening event and kick start  Mills Observatory’s Winter Programme! Celebrations began in the afternoon with a creative learning activity in the Planetarium with local P5/6 school children from Ancrum Primary School and our first Mills Observatory ‘Young Ambassador’ Rocco Phin from Grange Primary School. Living History characters John Mills and Wilhelmina Fleming appeared around the Observatory to surprise and chat to guests. Afterwards speeches were given by Our Head of Cultural Services and Lead Trustee and the children were presented with Certificates and exclusive Mills Observatory goodie bags. To conclude the afternoon guests were then invited to explore the Observatory, view the Dome, speak to staff and partners, view digital displays in the Planetarium and enjoy a slice of our delicious Mills Observatory Cake!

We also premiered a short film created by Artist David Scott to mark the occasion. The film features stunning views of the Observatory and displays the construction of a children’s and adult’s telescope which are both available to buy from the Observatory shop. The film was displayed on the ground level of the building which provides a changing display of pictures and models as well as self-directed activities for any budding young astronomers to enjoy!

 

During October to March, the Planetarium shows provide the chance to learn about constellations, planets and other jewels of the night sky. If you’re curious about comets, mystified by meteors, the friendly staff at Mills have the answers. There are also displays on solar system and space exploration. On selected dates visitors can enjoy a varied programme of public events including family workshops, planetarium shows, talks and Solar viewings.

For more information about Visitor Opening Hours and Activities at Mills Observatory please Visit

http://www.lesiureandculturedundee.com/mills-home or find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

Penguins and Polar bears!

Although we’ve been a little quiet on the blog front, we have been working away behind the scenes here at Creative Learning HQ getting ready for a brand new exhibition we know you’re going to love!!!

This weekend the museums new temporary winter exhibition ‘Among The Polar Ice’ brings together two major series of artworks by leading Scottish artists Frances Walker and James Morrison. The exhibition features the extreme landscapes of the Polar Regions at a time when melting ice and rising sea levels are making world headlines. The spectacular paintings offer a visual record of these fragile areas and raise awareness of global warming.

You will notice our ‘Family Space’ may appear a little icier than usual … the penguins have escaped from an original Frances Walker print and made it feel a little more like home! Wrap up warm with our ‘Polar Dress Up’ corner and prepare for your own expedition to see how many penguins you can find! We also have an exciting new range of books for you to enjoy, and lots of other creative activities to keep your little polar explorers busy!

 

Our Exhibition ‘Among the polar ice’ in the Here & Now Gallery, opens on Saturday 7th September. Play and learn in the Museum’s Family Space. Drop in each day to try out our fun creative activities, themed costumes, books and games  The Family space is open daily 10am until 5pm and returns this weekend.

 

ARTIST ROOMS: Young People’s Projects

We’re back on the blog train here in Creative Learning. This week’s post will focus on giving you an update on our ARTIST ROOMS Young People’s Projects.

As part of our learning programme, McManus Youth Action Group (YAG) have been inspired by the recent exhibition ARTIST ROOMS: Lawrence Weiner and developed their own creative learning project. The group have worked with text generation, language and screen printing to create text-based work, and this is being further developed for an Artists Book publication, created in partnership with Dundee Print Collective.

 

I learned how to look at an artwork differently and describe it in a whole new way.

I learnt new skills like screen printing and speaking more about my art.

We welcomed The Wednesday Writers back to the museum for their ARTIST ROOM creative learning project with the team. The Wednesday Writers are a group of creative writers who have a learning and/or a physical disability and are supported by the NHS Tayside Occupational Health team. The group explored ARTIST ROOMS: Lawrence Weiner through creative writing and created a series of creative writing work that was shared through a creative writing recital with the public and museum staff in February. The Wednesday Writers work will also be presented in the Artist Book publication, created by Dundee Print Collective. Both groups will be celebrating their project work with family and friends later on in March.

I’m really proud of myself.

Refreshing to have different people to work with, it’s good for creativity.

I learnt a lot about the artist and the text [work]. [I] found it very interesting and a good opportunity to work with McManus staff.

 

As well as working with the two goups above, we have developed and delivered three school sessions that have explored ARTIST ROOMS: Lawrence Weiner with secondary pupils from the High School of Dundee and Craigie High School. Both classes had a talk and tour with the team that discussed the artist, his work and ideas, before creating their own text-based art works inspired by the exhibition and the art concepts of Lawrence Weiner. These were then taken back to school, with the final idea to think about where in their school each pupil would install them; creating an ‘art-intervention’ similar to that created by Lawrence Weiner for the museum.

I liked the creative part (collage) the most.

I learned that multiple things can be art.

Guest Blogger – Meet Our Creative Learning Young Volunteer

This week our blog has been written by our Creative Learning Young Volunteer Amy. Amy joined us in November 2018 after working with the team on two creative projects with her Creative Writing Group and our blog is a great opportunity for her to share her volunteering journey with you.

I wanted to volunteer at The McManus because I like to help, give ideas and learn about The McManus’s Creative Learning activities. I was interested in learning and how being creative can be used in a job.  I have a small learning disability that effects my focus and sometimes I wish I didn’t have my disability.  Volunteering at The McManus has brought me out of my shell and it’s taught me how to be myself around other people. It’s opened a door and I’ve met some fantastic people like the Creative Learning Team, Curators, Visitor Assistants, Freelance Artists and Retail Staff.  Nicky Welch who is my support worker came with me to The McManus a few times until I felt confident to go on my own.

I enjoyed painting and observing tasks that were going on. I learned a lot from like using the guillotine to slice paper for The Wednesday Writers coming in the afternoon. I observed a school from Blairgowrie and they made theumatrope toys inspired by the Victorians. I got a behind the scenes look at some of the administration that The Creative Learning team does which support’s their work with young people, communities, schools and families. I got a shock at how much The Creative Learning Team have to do!  In the future I would like to work here because it’s a great atmosphere and I enjoy being creative.