On the 6th of August 2018, a local artist, Jessa Speed, will be painting a wardrobe as part of a community project outside of Portsmouth Yoga, Albert Road.
The wardrobe is being constructed so that donations can be made for those in need within the community.
The Beginning
The idea was born from Lucy, senior teacher and founder of Portsmouth Yoga. Last year, Lucy chose to place a clothing rail outside of their venue with used coats for those in need. All of the items were greatly received but unfortunately, the rack was not sustainable for the English weather. A friend of Lucy’s, Tim, suggested a wardrobe be fixed outside of the studio, allowing local people to donate regularly and make the project much more sustainable.
The Build
Tim explains that he ‘thought it would be fairly straightforward (it was not) to build a structure that could stay out there without intervention’ and so he volunteered. ‘I had recently met Ming Wu – one of the founders of The Maker’s Guild – at the Portsmouth Freelancers Meet and so I asked him if I would be able to use the space, tools and expertise of its members. Ming spent regular sessions in the next weeks teaching me how to use the tools and the best means of putting the cupboard together!’
The team at the Maker’s Guild, at Portsmouth Guildhall, aim ‘to provide the opportunity to develop skills and ideas, to make, innovate and collaborate within a space that facilitates making and sharing as part of a creative community.’
Tim proudly mentions that ‘the cupboard is made of entirely recycled wood. The frame is wood that came from a university exhibition and the cladding is from old voting booths!’ However, once the construction was complete, the wardrobe remained at the Maker’s Guild waiting to be decorated.
In search of an artist, Tim met Jessa at the Portsmouth Freelancer’s meet and on hearing about the project, she was very interested and volunteered. Jessa is Co-Owner of Paint chill co. ‘a fun, creative, Portsmouth-based business, offering non-serious, step-by-step art events suitable for all abilities.’ Combining her passion for painting and community, Jessa is very excited to be involved in the Wardrobe project on the 6th. Tim looks forward to seeing Jessa’s work on the project and says ‘it shall be a great joy to see it being used – hopefully benefiting people for a long time to come’
How to Help
Tim, Jessa and the team would be grateful of any donations from the community to support this project such as paint for decorating and coats. if you would like to donate, please drop items into Portsmouth Yoga before the 6th of August. Feel free to donate coats and blankets all year round.
This fabulous project will be taking place outside of Portsmouth Yoga, Albert Road on Monday the 6th of August 2018, please come along and show your support and donate if you can.
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