Make New Things, Make New Pals
Led by Emma Tominey, Creative Producer, Participatory Artist and Designer
The definition of a participatory artist’s job is when artists include members of the public in their creative process and encourage them to become co-authors of the work or as I prefer to say when people ask, make new things, make new pals.
A workshop exploring the life of a participatory artist and designer through surrealist collage, creative writing, animation and augmented reality.
Tell us something interesting about your career to date:
"I didn’t know this was a real job. I didn’t know any artists or designers growing up and yes, my family were nervous when I said I wanted to be an artist and designer (they tried to talk me into studying business or law because what I do ‘didn’t sound like a real job’). They still don’t really know what I do but they know I’m happy, I run my own business and get to work with some really interesting people in some really interesting places, so it all worked out in the end."
What is the best piece of careers advice you have ever received?
"If you find something you love, you will never work a day in your life if a big fat lie. You will in fact work even more but the difference is, you will love it."
Your pathway into your career:
"I studied graphic design, film and English Lit/Lang at A Level followed by an undergraduate degree in graphic communication, a PGCE (teaching degree) in design and an MA in visual communication. Despite working hard to get my degrees, my A Levels were the hardest thing I have ever done. I couldn’t choose between being a creative and a teacher, so I did both because why choose? I have spent the last thirteen years building my multimedia creative practice as well as developing a career teaching at colleges and universities in the North East, North West and Yorkshire. My specialist area of research and practice is book arts, collage, printmaking, exhibition design and digital arts including AI, AR and animation. I work with arts organisations, galleries, museums, schools, universities, libraries and local authorities."