What is 'Outside The Box Learning CIC'?
OTBLcic is a community interest company founded in 2017. It started with a recognised need for more, quality art making opportunities 'outside of the box' that is the school building, the boxes that are the curriculum and the timetable. We realised that instead bringing the art to community was going to be essential for broadening engagement with art making and experiences; especially in more isolated, rural areas.
It started with an idea of packing up a 'travelling art lesson'..... Caroline's grandfather, John Ellerton, was a teacher in his time; always an inspiration and avid supporter of Caroline as a student and developing artist. He believed in opportunities for all and creativity as essential to well being. With a great sense of humour and unable to 'give up' teaching, he used to visit residential care homes, with his old 'GlobeTrotter' suitcase entertaining the residents with jokes and magic tricks. The case is now Caroline's and she continues to bring joy and learning to people, in the way she knows best.
Hence, Outside The Box..... with it's obvious connotations to 'thinking differently' the name and the game seemed to fit. The Box has travelled far and wide with all sorts of art lessons to be enjoyed, making a difference to groups who may otherwise may not be able to access great art learning.
Now that we have a place to call 'home' - The ArtBox.... And, although we still take THE Box out to schools and clubs, we are able to offer a new menu of opportunities which is extremely exciting.
* Weekly classes, in a range of disciplines
* Weekend events in a range of disciplines
* Open Studios and exhibition space
* Space hire for an event/ workshop
* Space hire for a social/party
* Kiln hire - Have you made something at home and you'd like to fire it?
* Wheel hire - Do you have a project you need to finish and need a wheel?
See our EDUCATION page for information on current lessons or contact Caroline, if you'd like to use/ hire the space.
Who's in (and out) of The Box?
The OTBLcic team is a BIG part of the magic...
Sadie Medway and Dyliana Imendieva are a BIG part of what happens and what is possible in the ArtBox.
Caroline and Sadie have worked together for over twenty years, in local primary schools and across the county delivering art making events. They, more recently, lectured art and education together at the University of Plymouth. Sadie's background is in education and the arts; music/ dance and visual arts. A watercolour/ acrylic painter, printmaker in her own right.
Caroline and Didi met through their own children at the local and primary school. Didi was at the very beginning of 'Outside The Box', when it first formed back in 2017. Didi is a watercolour painter and explores ink/ calligraphy and is highly creative in design and fashion.
As a trio, we have been delivering inspiring school projects and holiday schools for three years. We work in a way that is fresh, inclusive and we bounce off each other positively. Between us, our skills set is expansive, with creativity having no bounds.
There is a huge amount of ongoing work, behind the scenes, to make all this happen. We couldn't do it without the brilliant Simon Roberts who has given endless hours to help move/ sand/ paint/ fix/ create...and make this website for us!
Thank you, to you all, for being part of the magic that happens here!
What is The ArtBox?
The ArtBox is a 'hidden gem' - A studio classroom, set back from Lower Union Road, Kingsbridge.
It is a large loft studio, next to 'Grooming Gosh' Dog Grooming and above 'Wild Artichoke' Restaurant.
On one side of the space, is a fully equipped ceramic studio for MERCER CERAMICS, where Caroline creates her own art pieces and hosts regular evening classes. In the middle, is where we operate 'Outside The Box LearningCIC' events INSIDE the box; a large and welcoming, creative learning space. This is where we hold our lessons, workshops, ArtSchools, socials and parties. On the other side of the space we have a quiet and cosy space to enjoy in between making tasks. We also use this for our 'Mindful Makers' programme.
Caroline showcases some of her finished ceramic pieces, on a gallery wall, which are on sale and/or waiting to journey on to their new homes or galleries. You can see examples of these in the Gallery Page.
There really is something for everyone here, at the ArtBox. It's a space to make/ create/ meet/ learn or simply come and 'be'.
Contact Caroline if you'd like to visit and find out more. Our opening hours can be varied due to our 'Outside The Box Learning CIC' outreach work, so it's worth enquiring first.
It's tucked away (just how we like it) but its worth the journey and everyone is welcome!