The Sockists Project
Workshop with Fiona Smart
Saturday 9 November 2024, 10.30am - 12.30pm
FREE
Venue: MAKE Southwest, Riverside Gallery
Suitable for: Everyone (but young makers might need help from an adult)
Level: All Abilities
a Green Maker Initiative workshop
Part of the Green Maker Initiative Event
The Sockists Project is here to help you have some fun transforming old socks into your own little eco-activist!
Dig out your old socks and prevent them going to landfill. No previous making experience is needed – just some time, a little patience and some simple hand stitching. Make them for friends and family this Christmas for the ultimate environmentally friendly present. All materials provided (sourced from Plymouth Scrapstore) and socks will be available if you haven’t got your own.
It’s a calm and unhurried session so if you don’t quite finish your Sockist in the session, the instruction sheet will help you to do so at home.
If you want to send messages urging those in power to do more about climate change and the loss of nature, there will be lots of Sockists waiting to record your message on the Sockists’ Soapbox.
Don’t forget to post pictures of your completed Sockist on social media with #thesockistsproject
This workshop is free but booking is required to guarantee yourself a spot. If there is room at the table drop-ins are welcome! Sockists can be made from 10.30am - 4pm.
Warning: making Sockists can be addictive.
About The Sockists
The Sockists Project is rooted in the Craftivist approach and aims to provide everyone with a simple and fun way to make visible their concerns about the climate and nature crises and to give them a gentle but effective way to protest and send messages to those in power in order to bring about the change that is needed.
The idea is to make a sock creature from two old socks and then find ways to use the Sockist to help those in power to act with urgency, imagination and courage. The Sockists once made could be used as a basis for many projects including animation, dance, graphic novels, puppetry, film-making, social media and illustration.
The Sockists believe that all of us can and need to become eco-activists – we just don’t know how to make our views known. Carrying around a Sockist to meetings, school, cafes, on public transport etc will, as the number of Sockists multiplies, help people to realise that they are not alone in their anxiety about the future and that working collectively and positively we have power. The Sockists can also be used in endlessly inventive ways as the stars of short phone films to urge those in power in companies, countries and organisations to be courageous. Imagine flash mobs of Sockists carrying out fun, gentle but effective mini protests in an unthreatening way and giving a voice to the worried majority.
Part of the Green Maker Initiative Season
Throughout November, December and January we’ll be celebrating our Green Maker Initiative (GMI) Season; hosting events, workshops and exhibitions themed around the natural world and championing sustainable craft.
Find out more HERE.
On the Day
All tools and materials will be provided.
Please be aware that you cannot use the Co-op car park for all day parking. The Methodist Church car park and Station Road car park usually have plenty of spaces. Click here for more information on our location and car parking for the day.
View MAKE Southwest's Cancellation Policy, HERE.