The Art of Confectionery Young Makers project was a collaboration between Sheffield General Cemetery Trust and Sheffield Museums. The unique four-week project focused on the history of Sheffield confectionery with historian Meghan Tipping and award-winning artist Will Rea at Weston Park Museum.
Each week young makers developed new skills, learnt about Sheffield’s rich history in confectionery, thought creatively about how to share this public history in the museum setting and contributed ideas around curating and creating exhibitions and displays.
Workshop 1 – An Introduction…
The young makers explored the meaning of confectionery and were introduced to Sheffield as a confectionery town. Afterwards Will delivered a workshop on the fundamentals of drawing. Looking at line, texture, shape and perspective.
Workshop 2 – Packaging & Advertising…
Workshop 3 – Observational Drawing…
The young makers did some observational drawing of a collection of historical tins relating to the confectioners of Sheffield before creating their own. Using a net template, each young maker designed their own packaging and considered how the tin would be interacted with by a customer.
Workshop 4 – Curation & Exhibition…
A whole day session saw the young makers unpick what makes a great exhibition before designing and creating a mock one. Each young maker called upon their new historical, illustration and typographic knowledge to curate a collaborative display.
Making The Exhibition Sign
As a response to the Young Makers project, award winning illustrator Will Rea was commissioned to design and manufacture a signage piece to hang in the Sweet Remembrance exhibition. The following images and video show his creative process.
To learn more about Will, please visit Willustration.co.uk
Weston Park Exhibition
Yorkshire Post Feature. 4th April 2023.
