YOUNG mothers from Barton were among those who have had their artwork displayed at the Ashmolean Museum.

They produced the eye-catching designs after taking part in a project based on the Portrait of Mademoiselle Claus by Edouard Manet, which was acquired by the Ashmolean in 2012.

A reproduction of the 1868 work by the famous French painter was taken to the Roundabout Centre in Barton, where four mums got to discuss the painting and what skills they wanted to develop.

After the museum staff’s visit with the painting, they settled on the idea of jewellery making and did a six-week crash course before completing their designs, which were in keeping with the Manet work.

News
Our top stories

Jess Digweed, 22, who showed off her work to her two-year-old Evie, said: “A lady from the museum came into the centre one day and mentioned about doing an art course with the chance to get some work in the museum.

“We all went along with it, the sessions were great.

“We had some books from the time and came up with our ideas. I made two sets of earrings and a necklace.

“It was amazing to see my work in the Ashmolean, I didn’t think it would feel that good actually to see it up on the wall.”

Oxford Mail:

Jess Digweed, 22, shows her daughter Evia Lavis, two, the jewellery she designed at the Roundabout Children’s Centre in Barton

Louise Lygo, from the Roundabout Centre, said: “We were delighted to work with the Ashmolean and offer this course to the Young Parents Group.

“The project has a really positive outcome.

“The group has learnt about a wonderful painting and what is on offer at a local museum and the young mums have developed new skills of their own and gained the confidence to visit the museum.

“I’m sure they will go back with their families.”

The Oxford University museum also used the Manet portrait for a project with Meadowbrook College, Oxfordshire’s Pupil Referral Unit and Integration service.

The students attended workshops given by the Ashmolean and produced their own interpretations of the work.

Student Liberty McFarlane, 17, from Cutteslowe, said she had not even realised her version of Manet’s painting would be part of the exhibition.

She said: “I thought my work wasn’t finished, then I was told it was getting put up in the Ashmolean. So I was surprised.

“At first I didn’t really know how big a deal it was, but when you actually see your own bit of artwork up there it does make you kind of feel special. It gives you butterflies in your stomach.”

She added: “I found it very interesting to find out about the lady in the painting.

“She looked like a princess, but it was interesting to find that she was a bit of a rebel.”

The museum has also carried out a third Manet project with the Oxfordshire Hospital School at the John Radcliffe.

  • The exhibition runs at the Ashmolean’s Education Studio Gallery until January 7

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.