Creative writing and visual arts – “The Swinging Sixties”
Using creative writing and visual art we explored the 1960’s. We are looking to put together an online exhibition of the work created. We researched the Bolton Women’s Liberation movement and wrote our own “I have a Dream” speeches. We made paper dresses and wrote songs inspired by Bob Dylan. Below is an example of the artwork created by Stand Up Sisters members.
Funded by: Bolton CVS Ambition for Ageing and Bolton CVS Small Grants.
“I have a dream” short film and poem
Creative project – “Stitch and Stories”
We are currently running outdoor art workshops on playwriting, stand up and art therapy. Plans for the future include a dreamcatchers course, creative writing, craft packs, photography and walking influenced by Myths, Legends and Fairytales. We rip apart stereotypes and recreate stories influenced by “The Women Who Run with the Wolves” written by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Below is a photograph of artwork created by a Stand Up Sisters participant.
Funded by Tampon Tax
Quote from participant “I have chosen to create an Iranian tribunal women, which are very strong women within the community. Their wise ways and their difficult lives have always inspired me, including my grandmother who has been a big influence in my life. For this purpose I created a small stitched woman in her local and traditional dress as a symbol of this society.”
As part of the “Stitch and Stories” workshop we also created pieces of creating writing, ranging from short stories to poems. Below is a poem created by a Stand Up Sisters participant.
The Power of Women
Women see the clever way, the cunning plan,
Women devise the plot and decide the outcome
Women choose the protagonist, reveal the culprit
Women assume the guise of the all knowing
Women are the procurers of the future
Women drive their dreams forward
Women crush and flatten the sceptic
Women silence the doubters the “can’t be done’s
”Women solve the unexplained, write the solution
Women direct the scenes, choreograph the movements,
Women switch on the lights, cue the sound.
Women show the others to their seats
Women make them wait, impotent.
Women then give the signal for life to begin,
For the curtain to rise.
For the world to start spinning.
Combined art – In Her Words
Podcasting, stand up comedy, music and fine Craft packs.
Funded by Awards for All
Below is some writing and some art.
Keep Your Distance
Two metres away?
Not much change there then.
You’ve always kept your distance,
Never really let me near,
So our bodies and minds disengage
As we clutch at different dreams and desires.
A gaping chasm has opened up
No bridges can be built between us now
There are no foundations left,
Only shifting sands of mutual distrust.
So, we sit together on the double sofa
Far more than two metres apart.
Are you with her?
Platform 5 Gallery Project
We are working in partnership with Platform 5 Gallery and are seeking funding to enhance Bolton train station. Above are some designs created by a Stand Up Sisters member.
We are currently running a number of projects. Thursdays 1-3pm each week on zoom, is where we will be running Monologues and Duologues Funded by The Standing Together Programme and Bolton CVS. After this we will be running some Eco Art Zoom Workshops on Thursdays 1-3pm, as well walk and create on Sundays. We are also running a 3 day business course for women with disabilities. Please get in touch if you would like to know more. Here are some photo’s from our latest walk and create round Entwistle.
We would also like to say a huge thank you to any and all those who have Donated, supported and helped make Stand Up sisters what it is today.
Stand Up Sisters Arts/Women's Empowerment Organisation 