Dr Han-Mei Chen Leads Glass Mosaic Workshops

Posted on: 11 November 2024 by Dr Han-Mei Chen in 2024 Posts

In October 2024, Dr Han-Mei Chen, Lecturer in Architectural Structures and Construction at the School of Architecture, led two successful glass mosaic craft workshops, using colourful recycled glass materials, as part of the 2024 national ESRC Festival of Social Science

The event offered a unique opportunity for the public to engage in sustainable art practices while exploring the impact of upcycling on both personal well-being and the environment.

Titled “Crafting a Sustainable Future: Upcycling Workshops for Glass Mosaic Art and Enhanced Wellbeing”, the workshops were supported by the ESRC Festival of Social Science and aimed to raise awareness of the life cycle of glass bottles. Participants learned how simple glass upcycling activities could help reduce carbon footprints and contribute to a more sustainable future. The workshops took place with a local Scouts group and at a PSS wellbeing centre.

Throughout the sessions, Dr Chen, along with community artist Claire from The Unlocked Collective guided attendees through the process of creating glass mosaic art. They emphasized creativity, sustainability, and mindfulness, ensuring that each participant could enjoy a hands-on, relaxing experience while exploring the artistic potential of recycled materials.

Positive feedback from participants highlighted the personal benefits of the workshops included:

• “Relaxing… Enjoyed the course very much.”
• “Really enjoyed today. Inspires me to try to do some at home.”
• “Really enjoyable session with lovely, friendly tutors.”
• “I had a wonderful, relaxing class and learned how to mosaic. I am very inspired to take up craft more. Fantastic tutors.”

These responses reflect the therapeutic value of the workshops, with many participants noting how the creative process helped them relax, focus, and express themselves through art.

The event underscored the importance of sustainable practices, demonstrating how art and craft can play a key role in promoting both environmental consciousness and personal well-being.

The Festival of Social Science explores the world of social science, from how society has shaped our local areas to behaviours that help fight climate change. This year (2024) a number of our events focused on our digital lives, exploring the relationship between humans and digital technology.

The festival ran from Saturday 19 October to Saturday 9 November 2024.