A Handful of Time

During autumn 2023, artists Dot Howard and Sorrel Muggridge delivered a three-week series of workshops across Norfolk libraries called A Handful of Time.

In the workshops, they invited participants to create small artworks or ‘artefacts’ with locally sourced clay; each artefact capturing a moment in time and bearing the unique lines and contours of their maker’s hands. As the workshops continued, they created a growing compendium of small works of art, made to be handled with care.

‘Holding one is like finding a missing part of yourself…it feels like they belong to you.’ Participant

The libraries acted as a base to present the work but also to engage the network of communities that utilise their services. In May 2024, with support from Norfolk Community Foundation through the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Small Grants Scheme, we were able to extend the workshops to a trio of libraries in West Norfolk. Dot and Sorrel also presented their work to audiences during the Festival’s Welcome Weekend.

Across the programme of workshops more than 1000 people participated in the project. The library workshops reached people from eleven months to 80 years+. The library settings also enabled different levels of participation, from independent participation, groups and supported one-to-one sessions.

‘I loved the experience. Thank you!’ Participant

The residency has allowed the artists the vital time needed to experiment and develop the project without impending deadlines. Through the process, they were able to develop the delivery; from the way they source and prepare their clay, to the way they approach and engage participants in different community spaces.

Visit A Handful of Time Website