Creative Residences
We work closely with our libraries to support the development of emerging local talent and cultivate the space and resources for them to explore their practice.
Our creative residences
Suffolk Libraries has a proven track record of supporting the development of emerging local talent. Bridging the gap between amateur and professional, Suffolk Libraries creative residencies provide time and space for community artists to develop ways of working and new ideas in collaboration with libraries and their communities.
Environmentalist in Residence
Our current Environmentalist in Residence is Clare Sams. Clare is a textiles arts practitioner, lecturer, and arts educator. Clare has a master’s degree in Academic Practice for Art Design and Communication and holds a Guinness World Record for the largest crochet hook!
The focus of Clare’s practice is within the realm of textiles, which she “utilises to develop narrative pieces which explore themes including rising sea levels, human impact on the environment, and life on the fringes of society.”
As a freelance educator, Clare facilitates creative arts activities for all ages and abilities, using accessible techniques and sustainable materials in a range of cultural, community and educational settings.
Find out more about our other environmental projects:
Storyteller in Residence
The purpose of the Storyteller In Residence is to highlight the power of storytelling and connect people to a diverse range of stories in non-conventional ways.
Our current Storyteller In Residence is Kirsty Tallent. Kirsty is a multi-sensory theatre maker and facilitator born and bred in Ipswich. Kirsty specialises in making work for young people with disabilities and additional needs.
Kirsty’s previous shows include the Arts Council-funded shows ‘The Green Children’ and ‘1001 Fireflies’, both of which focus on celebrating difference, challenging social stereotypes and the environment.
Libraries in a Year
Libraries in a Year invites an artist to observe libraries and produce a piece of artwork capturing the essence of libraries inspired by their time spent in our spaces.
Watch our YouTube video featuring the work of Sandy Horsley →
Residency Intensives
Our residency intensives invite a handful of mixed-media artists to explore, share and collaborate with one another across five days in one of our library venues. Previous residency intensives have taken place at Ipswich County Library, Hadleigh Library and Lowestoft Library.