The People's Herbarium
The Project
In Lawrence House Museum, Launceston, there is a unique group of giant Herbarium (books containing a collection of preserved plant specimens) Local business man and Botanist William Wise cycled around Devon and Cornwall in the 1800’s collecting plants to press for his Herbarium. In 2021 Artist explorer, Karen Howse offered a series of plant collecting walks around Launceston, engaging people with plant pressing and printmaking processes which culminated in the collation of the People’s Herbarium (a contemporary version of Wise’s Herbarium) with the help of local Bookbinders. This is a community project that connects people, place, plants and printmaking.
This is what we did!
WALKS
Walk the paths and lanes of Launceston to collect, identify and press plants for the Peoples Herbarium. Your plant could end up in the modern day People’s Herbarium which will be displayed at Lawrence House Museum. Come to one of the Print Days to print from the plants collected. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes. Launceston can be a bit up and down!
PRINT DAYS
Drop in mini print day, 10.30 - 3pm using plants collected on the Herbarium walks, or bring your own from your journey here! See the giant Herbarium housed at Lawrence House Museum and learn about how local Botanist and Pharmacist William Wise collected the plants for his Herbarium. Try your hand at printing a plant on a mini press > add to the Peoples Herbarium - a modern day version of the 18th Century Plant Books.
CYANOTYPE - SUN PRINT
Other processes on offer in the workshops are the magical old cyanotype process using light sensitive paper and the sun (when it appears!) Also plant drawing workshops in the Garden Room > garden later in the year.
The People’s Herbarium is a Bright Sparks project, engaging people with plants, place and printmaking, funded by FEAST and Cornwall Museums Partnership
LATEST NEWS 2022- The People's Herbarium book is currently on display at Launceston Library while the Museum is being worked on. Please ask staff, you are welcome to carefully look through the pages...
CAUSLEY FESTIVAL OF ARTS > LITERATURE -
People's Herbarium Walk - Saturday 24th July 10.30 - 12noon
Join Karen for a short plant seeking walk around the town, finishing off in the Museum garden where you can enjoy the plants and make a cyanotype sun-print to take away with you.
FREE - but BOOKING essential - Accompanied children are welcome - Limited numbers -
Booking closed - event has happened!
DRAWING DATES
Plant drawing in the Museum garden room.
Dates to be announced for October 2021
WALK DATES
LAWRENCE HOUSE MUSEUM - Saturday 24th July 10.30 - 12 noon (past)
ST THOMAS CHURCH (by Kensey river) - Tues 10th August 10.30 - 12 noon BOOK TICKET HERE
MAYNE CLOSE (off St Stephens Hill) - Tues 31st August 10.30 - 12.30 BOOK TICKET HERE
ST THOMAS CHURCH (by Kensey river) - Tues 21st September 10.30 - 12 BOOKING OPEN SOON
Walkers are responsible for their own safety > children must be accompanied. For more details email Karen here
FREE but please book a space for each walk via Eventbrite (coming soon!)
PRINT DATES at The Museum
- 2x sessions per day - morning 10.30 - 12 noon / afternoon 1.30pm - 3pm
Thursday 12th AUGUST - am BOOK > pm BOOK HERE
Thursday 19th AUGUST - am BOOK HERE > pm BOOK HERE
Thursday 26th AUGUST - am BOOK HERE > pm BOOK HERE
Thursday 23rd SEPTEMBER - am BOOK HERE > pm BOOK HERE
Meet at the Museum. Printing will be in the garden room next to the garden. Children must be accompanied > booked. Suitable for over 12's For more details email Karen here
FREE but please book a space via Eventbrite https://karenhowse.eventbrite.co.uk
PRINT DATES at The Library
HOLIDAY HERBARIUM - Drop-in workshop - Library car park - Tues 24th August - 10.30 - 12 noon Contact the library for details 0300 123 4111
Lawrence House Museum
9 Castle St, Launceston PL15 8BA
01566 773277
https://lawrencehousemuseum.org.uk
Launceston Library
1 Bounsall's Ln, Launceston PL15 9AB
0300 123 4111
https://www.facebook.com/LauncestonLibraryUK/