ArtisanCam

Imagine being able to watch an artist at work, observing their creations and learning from their skills. ArtisanCam is a series of virtual artists residencies, linking artists and craftspeople working in studios, schools and cultural settings with groups of people in other locations. Websites using images, text, sound, animation, video conferencing and live web casts will link the groups. Users experience how different artists push their ideas towards a finished artefact whether it is a painting, performance or product.

ArtisanCam North (taking place in the North East, Cumbria and Lancashire) is now live at www.artisancamnorth.org and you can see schools and community groups taking part in the project communicating on- and off-line with a number of artists in different ways. For example, some of the artists take part in 'live watching', which explores how they work over a period of time and shows the progression of a piece of their work. In other instances, participants are able ask the artists about their influences and techniques in real time, through the use of videoconferencing.

These events are streamed live and then archived on the website, so that a wider audience can watch and learn from the artists.

Each artist also works with a production company to develop and deliver online workshops and masterclasses. These are directed at a wider audience and demonstrate processes, principles and techniques associated with the artist's practice, as well as providing activities to do, both online or for example, in the classroom. In addition, the artists deliver gallery-based masterclasses, which focus on their own practice or the work of other artists who have inspired them.

Participants can apply the new insights and skills they learn to their own work, which can then be uploaded to an online gallery or sketchbook.

ArtisanCam North launched at the end of September and can be found at www.artisancamnorth.org.