What a flip-flappin fantastic time we had as part of the ASSITEJ Family Fare at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown. Thank you to all the families that supported us by watching the show (some numerous times) and for attending the Flip Flop workshops. Our free community shows in the government hospital and local township were extra special. It was a huge success in every way!
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"My daughter is having such a wonderful time. She says it's like going to clown school!" What a special week together with the Jelly Belly tribe! Just like the Montessori system, each child was empowered to direct their own experience, depending on their interests. There was a wide range of creative activities for them to choose from, such as drama, arts and crafts, music and movement. Some learnt circus skills like juggling and hula hooping. Others were fascinated by the fun and friendly permaculture, i.e. the worms who live in the worm tub and create compost and fertiliser. A very focused and creative team even created a puppet box out of recycled materials, for a puppet show which we will create in Jan. For the very energetic ones, we created a fun obstacle course around the garden using a trampoline, hula hoops, skipping ropes and juggling balls! There were group activities such as a scavenger hunt, building a fire and cooking on it, water fight, making delicious and nutritious juices and snacks, dress-up and last but NOT least, parachute games! There was also time for free play, which enabled the children to socialize and interact with new and old friends. Jelly Belly Holiday Programme will run again from 7 - 11 Jan 2013. Contact Annabel at Creative Beans for more info or to book a place for your child! As I prepare for my first ever solo clown and storytelling performance (more details coming soon!) I stumbled upon this piece of writing by Jan Phillips, dedicated to the artist within us all. It came at the perfect time, just when I needed to hear these words. So here it is, for whenever you may need it.
The Artist's Creed I believe I am worth the time it takes to create whatever I feel called to create. I believe that my work is worthy of its own space, which is worthy of the name Sacred. I believe that, when I enter this space, I have the right to work in silence, uninterrupted, for as long as I choose. I believe that the moment I open myself to the gifts of the Muse, I open myself to the Source of All Creation and become One with the Mother of Life Itself. I believe that my work is joyful, useful, and constantly changing, flowing through me like a river with no beginning and no end. I believe that what it is I am called to do will make itself known when I have made myself ready. I believe that the time I spend creating my art is as precious as the time I spend giving to others. I believe that what truly matters in the making of art is not what the final piece looks like or sounds like, not what it is worth or not worth, but what newness gets added to the universe in the process of the piece itself becoming. I believe that I am not alone in my attempts to create, and that once I begin the work, settle into the strangeness, the words will take shape, the form find life, and the spirit take flight. I believe that as the Muse gives to me, so does she deserve from me faith, mindfulness, and enduring commitment. by Jan Phillips Here is a short but sweet update on the last week in the Creative Beans world...
On Friday, three hundred Tetrapak wallets made by Melusi Motsa were shipped to Europe. Let's hope they love the Swazi vibe and simple beauty of the wallets. Each wallet comes with a 5c Swazi coin inside. This is for three reasons - to bring luck, abundance and prosperity to the owner and to prove that Swaziland does exist! With it's beautiful petal-like shape, the coin is bound to enchant some travelling spirits to come and experience this small, mountainous kingdom. Furthermore, Creative Beans drama classes were wrapped up for the term and I will notify parents as soon as I know what date they will start again. I am so grateful to all parents for being so understanding of the nature of my work. And now, I find myself in Durban, South Africa preparing a clown show for a two week tour in the Eastern Cape, spreading smiles and laughter. This is my third day back in my clown shoes, and by 8am this morning I had already broken the toilet seat and pulled down a supermarket shelf, reaching for a hula hoop. It's going to a fun few weeks..... Creative Beans is currently setting up a new project to promote environmental awareness and creative thinking in Swaziland, by turning discarded fruit juice and milk cartons into beautiful wallets! So do something for your environment and community by rinsing out your empty cartons and dropping them off at one of the drop off points listed below.
Mbabane - The Grog Shop, Thornybush Cafe, The Mbabane Club Ezulwini - Yebo Art Gallery, Swazi Candles Schools - International Montessori, Panorama Montessori, Montessori Life, St Marks Primary, Sifundzani Primary & High, Waterford The order from Europe for 300 wallets needs to be ready by the end of July! So last week, I began training five Swazis to make the wallets. Although they are not difficult to make, for most of the group the basic scissor skills needed to make the wallets look good were lacking. Good scissor skills are just an example of something that can be taken for granted but it takes years of practice. Practice, indeed, makes perfect! |
AuthorAnnabel is a clown, storyteller, facilitating artist and juggler of creative projects Archives
February 2018
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