‘The
Company of Cranes’ is the work of artist Melanie Tomlinson who was commissioned
by Somerset Art Works and The Great Crane Project in a project funded by Arts
Council England to help raise awareness and support for the reintroduction of
the Eurasian Crane to the Somerset Levels.
Melanie
took the project on an artistic journey designing and making beautiful hand
printed pre-cinema objects, including zoetropes, praxinoscopes and finely
detailed illustrations to narrate the cranes’ journey from Brandenburg in
Germany to Somerset.
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| Somerset school children make crane masks |
Funded
by InspirED Somerset, Melanie has spent the last month delivering
crane-inspired workshops in 13 Somerset schools and from this she has developed
a free online Company of Cranes resource pack designed for schools, groups and
families.
The resources aim to nurture independent study and creative skills,
build self-confidence and understanding of conservation and the environment.
The website www.thecompanyofcranes.net
includes an Interactive Map where you can upload and share your work.
“The
online resources offer an exciting opportunity to learn about the Somerset
cranes and surrounding wildlife, creating fun art at the same time!
Choose from a selection of carefully designed activities that are accessible to
all ages and offer creative and interesting engagement for schools, community
groups and families. In fact anyone anywhere, interested in the beauty
and diversity of the Somerset landscape and its flora and fauna is welcome to
join in.” Melanie Tomlinson.
