Project Buzz

Posted on 29th February 2024

A creative arts project involving twelve different community groups of children and young people bringing RAMM’s insect collections to life

Date of project: June 2022 to March 2024

The project offered local children and young people the chance to meet and learn from local practicing artists, and enable conversations and connections with the natural world through the museums’ resources, artist interpretations and talks by partners Devon Wildlife Trust.

RAMM has an extensive insect collection, which includes butterflies, beetles, bees, moths and other creatures such as stick insects. They are beautiful, fascinating to children and many are becoming increasingly endangered due to habitat loss and pesticides. The museum also has striking handling collections for engagement and learning activities. Biodiversity is a key topic in the UK primary school curriculum, and the threat to animal and plant species is often a topic that children and young people feel very strongly about.

Butterflies from RAMM’s handling collection

Using RAMM’s insect gallery and handling collections as inspiration, three different artists were selected to work with different groups of children/young people from the local community to each create an insect ‘swarm’ or art piece. The insect swarm groups included:

• Bees, wasps and hornets

• Butterflies and moths

• Beetles

• Centipedes and millipedes

• Dragonflies & damselflies

• Grasshoppers, cicadas & stick insects

A print of red butterflies and moths on a blue and white background — Print created by Project Buzz young carer’s group

RAMM also partnered with Double Elephant Print Workshop to run a series of experimental print-making sessions for young people in their studios as part of the project.

The various workshops enabled young participants the chance to build new skills and self-esteem through supportive, inclusive and relaxed art sessions, whilst learning about insects and how to protect them for future generations. Their artwork formed part of a collective exhibition in the RAMM Café which was on display until 24th February 2024. All groups were invited to a celebration event for the opening of the exhibition on 13 June 2023.

All workshops included a visit to RAMM’s ‘Fly on the Wall’ insect galleries as a starting point for inspiration and information about their particular insect focus, as well as a look at some of the ‘Finders Keepers’ cases that show extinct species and insects that are currently used for human consumption and products. Some of the sessions also took place in different venues across Exeter, including the Positive Lights Project creative space and visits to The Hive in Princesshay shopping centre.

As part of project Buzz, RAMM also visited The Beacon Centre to run insect-inspired family friendly craft activities each Thursday throughout August as part of their free Family Fun Days.

Project Buzz - Primary age children wearing masks made at the Beacon Centre — Project Buzz masks, made at the Beacon Community Centre

Exeter College Dance and Textiles group designed costumes and performed a dance in the museum courtyard inspired by the project on 28th February 2023. You can watch their performance on film in the café as part of the exhibition.