The Joy Ride Project by Melissa Cole:
I am on a Joy mission! I want to spread the Joy far and wide, having a positive impact in my community with my colourful crochet installations.
Crocheting for me, is an expression of pure Joy. I love creating colourful, large scale pieces which beautify and engage my community. The act of crochet connects people of all genders, ethnicities and ages in a really fun way. I love using bright colours and symbols in my practice as a conscious celebration of positivity and love. The message of JOY is for everyone.
The Project
The Joy Ride Project is my most ambitious project so far and I am excited!!! I will be crocheting my car in the courtyard of the Mangere Arts Centre. The car will become Joy in motion and will be a visible beacon of Joy where ever she goes.
The project will take place over 3 weeks. During this time I would love other crocheters to join me in crocheting the car, sharing stories with me and becoming part of the Joy movement one loop at a time. At the conclusion of the project on December 11, there will be a “car boot market day” for creatives and makers to come along and sell their creations in time for Christmas and to celebrate the completed Joy Ride before she sets off around the community.
Follow #TheJoyRideProject for updates and to “share” with your friends. Join the facebook event here.
The Joy Movement / Background
The Joy movement began earlier in the year with the first Joy Project involving yarn bombing my local neighbourhood, Otahuhu. I worked with the children at Fairburn Primary to create an installation to celebrate Matariki and to beautify the school grounds. In September I worked with my husband Rudi to install large scale crochet creations in the carpark at The Mangere Arts Centre for the international movement, Parking Day 2018 and returned to Fairburn to create a giant spider’s web with the children there.
You can never have too much Joy in your life and I am excited to begin The Joy Ride Project. Come and celebrate crocheting with me and be a Joy warrior for our community!
When: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday - 9:30am - 3.00pm from 21st November to 7th December.
Where: Mangere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku - Cnr Orly Ave & Bader Dr, Mangere
SAVE THE DATE 11th December for the ‘car boot market’ - details to come…
Contact Details:
Melissa Cole | Mb 021 08707584 | Email lissycoledesigns@yahoo.com
