An Explanation

In January 2008, the eight Year 10 students of the Centre for Alternative Learning and Mentoring (CALM Unit) – part of James Brindley Science College (Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent) - were invited to take part in a photo-based exploration of risk and identity with artists Wayne Thexton and Eleanor Babb. Four students accepted this invite and so, over the following six months, committed to a process that would introduce them to new people, new places and new ideas. This process aimed to test and extend participants’ openness and willingness to engage in positive constructive dialogue. In large parts, the process was directed by students outlining their interests and reflecting on what they found to be challenging.

For much of this project, our vision for the end of the group’s work was a fixed, time-limited public exhibition – in one place. However, discussions over one of our whole-group’s many lunches featured the suggestion of something of a ‘distributed exhibition’ – an exhibition that would be spread through as much of the city of Stoke-on-Trent as we had touched upon throughout the project. Not a touring exhibition – which would have served a similar purpose of ‘getting about a bit’, but rather something a little more playful and unpredictable (the point also at which some of our hearts start beating faster and our inner voices cry out ‘What on earth are you doing?’). Logistically, the distributed exhibition (or give-away) would be more challenging, however, the idea struck all of us as exciting. And so it was. A process of selecting 100 images from the project unfolded, along with discussions about how and where to locate these individual artworks – and to what ends. The upshot of these discussions yielded 100 postcard images (produced entirely by Jamie H., Jamie T. Nicole W. and Adam D.), each placed in separate envelopes, each marked with either a ‘Pick Me Up’ or a ‘Read Me’ label, and each dotted about Stoke-on-Trent. As finders of these envelopes open them up to uncover a unique stamped and addressed postcard, they will also find a short project outline and a question. And so the project is extended as we ask our artwork finders - and everyone else who would care to play along (please do):

‘Think of an occasion when you took a risk. What was that risk?’

Overall, the project was regarded as a success by CALM Unit staff, participants and artists. Everyone has been challenged – most often planned, occasionally unplanned. Many things have been learned – some planned, some unplanned. And as for meanings and values of the project, well they are as varied as each unique participant.

For our funders, Creative Partnerships Stoke-on-Trent, this was a first partnership that centred on the learning experiences and learning futures of students already receiving alternative learning provision within a mainstream secondary school. For investing in this, we thank Creative Partnerships.

The artists will stay in touch with the participants beyond the end of the project. With such work, our beliefs, values and responsibilities become ever clearer.

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