A series of free online creative workshops will be launched this month in Barrow.
The workshops will give children and young people the chance to have a go at rap, poetry, art, singing and drama while adults have the opportunity to try creative writing.
The workshops, from February 15 to February 19, are the first events organised by Barra Culture, a new Creative People and Places project recently awarded funding by Arts Council England.
Its aim is to increase participation in the arts, particularly among those least engaged, over the next four years.
“The Barra Culture team are itching to engage with people across the town to make exciting creative things happen but while we’re all in lockdown we’re launching these online workshops to get the ball rolling,” said director Daniel Tyler-McTighe.
“Barra Culture exists to both build up local creativity and invite brilliant artists from further afield to work with Barrovians and we’re really excited by the range of artforms on offer by excellent artists this half-term.”
Among the participating artists is Barrow-based art director and concept artist, Tori Davis who is currently working on The LEGO Movie 2.
She will show 13 to 17-year-olds how to design characters and bring stories to life with a pen and pencil during her workshop on February 18 from 11am to noon.
“I can’t wait to get started,” said Tori. “I am proud to call Barrow my home and am very excited about Barra Culture.
“For me personally, I’m looking forward to engaging with other artists and sharing my own work and ideas with young people in the area.”
Other artists involved are Birmingham Poet Laureate Casey Bailey, who leads a rap and poetry workshop for 13 to 17-year-olds on February 15; Ulverston’s Ellie Chaney who will show seven to 12-year-olds how to create paper birds on February 16; Sarah Atter who leads a singing workshop for four to eight-year-olds on February 17; and Holly Bateman whose drama workshop for seven to 12-year-olds takes place on February 19.
All the workshops are online from 11am to noon apart from the creative writing for adults session led by Steve Fairclough which is online from 7m to 8pm on February 16.
Access to the internet on a tablet or computer is required to participate and most workshops need paper and a pen.
Places are on a first-come-first-served basis.
For more information and to book, email: info@barraculture.org.uk or call 07871 602405.
