Ilminster Avenue Nursery 3: meeting the families

Written by artist Cat Boot 

Following my first interaction with the children in character as Mo, I wanted to an opportunity to meet with some of the families if the children involved (and for them to meet me), to establish a relationship that might potential be fruitful as the project progresses. I felt this was important to demystify the project and the idea of having and ‘artist’ in the setting.

All families were sent a written invitation to come for tea and cake, and specific families were also prompted by Kate.

Present:

• D’s mum (who also works in the office at the nursery). D’s family have a dog and go walking a lot. D loves maps and is very good at navigating. When D walks the dog with his mum he is allowed to decide which way they go
• C’s mum. C’s mum drives everywhere - even to the local shops. She takes C to Currys and Tesco. C really loves washing machines! C’s Dad’s ashes are scattered in Arnos Vale Cemetery
• S’s mum
• A’s mum. A lives in Bedminster and her mum drives her to and from nursery everyday
• O’s nan. O lives with her Nanny in the week. Her parents come back from work at the weekends
• Cat - artist
• Kate - early years teacher 

We discussed:

Where are the landmarks in Knowle?

• Knowle Park School
• Redctach Park
• Newquay shops
• Broadwalk shopping centre
• The Jungle
• Northern Slopes
• Knowle Health Park
• St. Martin’s Church
• Christ the King Church

Where do they visit in Bristol?

• Harbourside
• M Shed
• The zoo
• Windmill Hill Farm
• Snuff Mills
• Blaise Castle
• Ashton Court
• Tesco
• Currys
• Arnos Vale cemetery

At the end of the meeting I introduced the families to the Photo Mapo app and suggested they explore other digital mapping tools. C’s mum was particularly interested in this. This creates photos that you attach a map and notes too.