Project Posts Archives | Page 3 of 7

St George’s Festival

Posted on June 2023June 2023 by Lucy Amos

More than 5,000 people from the local community joined the St George’s Festival in March, Fenland on Sunday 23 April 2023. MarketPlace partnered with Fenland District Council, 20Twenty productions, March Library and Cambridgeshire Skills to organise the event, including a range of activities and performances staged by local artists and groups.

In the month-long run up, MarketPlace delivered creative projects and workshops for adults and young people within the community. Artist Ricki Outis visited 9 local groups including Scouts, Cubs and Beavers, Hereward Community Rail Partnership, Macmillan Fundraising Committee, the Recovery Café and Edgy Women, to run screen printing workshops where over 500 participants created scales to decorate the parade dragon. Many participants had never imagined they might be able to take part in this type of creative experience. “I have never seen the Cubs so engaged in an art activity’ said Scout Leader, Gary Barnett.

Two walking poetry workshops were organised with contemporary poet Charley Genever for members of the public. On the day she performed two poems at the start and end of the festival.

Artist Cary Outis went around the town and drew his original dragon drawings on the windows of local shops, teasing the community into what was happening on St George’s Day. On the day, festival visitors drew their own dragons on the pavements while watching Cary draw a large dragon onto the window of the library.

Designed and created by the communities of Wisbech, Chatteris & March, the parade dragon became a magical moment of community creation and interaction, with the scales created in the workshops adorning the dragons’ bodies. The other MarketPlace activities throughout the day for families included storytelling with The Yarnsmith of Norwich, inspired by the dragon and medieval themes of the day, tote bag colouring, and a colouring competition.

“I’ve come to this event every year and this is the best it’s ever been”

A very successful St George’s Day Festival, showing how co-creation and co-operation with local organisations and community groups can work.

Escape from Fort Lagoon

Posted on June 2023August 2023 by Lucy Amos

On the Spring Bank holiday the world premiere of Escape from Fort Lagoon came to Mildenhall. The quiet market town in Suffolk was the perfect place to host this one-of-a-kind immersive theatre production, with an epic game of cat and mouse along the banks of the River Lark.

Over the weekend, Mildenhall was transformed into a ‘luxury resort’ of the future. Escape from Fort Lagoon depicts a dystopian reality where water sources have tipped over the PH level safe for human consumption. Teams of players followed clues and solved puzzles throughout the town to escape the resort where all is not what it seems. Once they evaded capture, participants escaped to the sanctity of the river where they had the option to swim. The warm weather certainly helped, with lots of people taking the plunge into the river over the weekend.

“It was unlike anything I’d done before. A totally new type of immersive theatre. It was amazing! I feel brave!”

The participants who took part in this unique experience came from both the local area and further afield. When participants were asked if they would come to something like this again, 100% of them agreed.

There was lots of involvement from the local community. Brandon’s Happy to Sing Choir performed a piece especially composed for the show, while local drama group The Bunbury players, took on some of the acting roles. Members of Mildenhall Library’s craft group used their skills to make items for the ‘Water Museum’ and St John’s Walk ‘n’ Craft group led a watercolor activity in the precinct as part of the production.

Although light-hearted in tone, Escape from Fort Lagoon also makes a serious point about the quality of our waters, facing challenges such as plastic pollution and sewage discharge. Creators Wake the Beast teamed up with Surfers Against Sewage – ‘a charity campaigning for cleaner seas and rivers. 50% of booking fees from all ticket sales will be going to Surfers Against Sewage.

One participant said: “We have just managed to escape from Fort Lagoon. At times we had to run down the street. It was so exciting and such fun. It’s an amazing premise, because it could be our terrifying future without water, but it is light-hearted. At the end we got to have a glorious swim surrounded by the most beautiful music.”

Escape from Fort Lagoon, Mildenhall, was presented by Wake the Beast and Submersion Productions in collaboration with Marketplace – Creative People & Places.

“Loved the experience. So immersive, fun and just the right amount of scary!”

Delicates pilot project

Posted on June 2023June 2023 by Lucy Amos

Delicates is a pilot project that was developed with MarketPlace by writer and creative facilitator Tassa Deparis . It was run in Newmarket – by mothers, for mothers. New mothers were able to unleash their imagination, exchange stories and develop ideas around new identities through a variety of creative outlets. The workshops, run by Tassa and Helen Baggett of Gecko Theatre were attended by a small group of mothers, creating a safe space to talk openly while their little ones are taken care of in a creche in a neighbouring room.

The workshops took place over three weeks where the group of mothers could try various creative outlets surrounding their identity in motherhood. The sessions also provided a space to discuss and think about their journey as mothers, and what that means for them as individuals but also as a group. Women in the room came from a range of different backgrounds. Despite this, the group felt unified under the shared experiences of motherhood, and the beauties and difficulties that go along with that.

Tassa Deparis talks about the Delicates project she facilitated

The project predominantly attracted new mothers on maternity leave and those with pre-school age children. Activities such as responding to the question ‘What is a mum?’ gave the group space to explore their identities and feelings surrounding motherhood.

“The women who took part in this project were so open and happy to tell their stories“

The women explored the transition from before motherhood to their present journey through the activities and discussions. The group came together through their shared and difference experiences. Lots of women feel isolated when they become mothers so the social aspect of the project was an important factor too.

This journey that many women go through is often undervalued, so the delicates project aimed to show the women the great importance and impact their place has in society.

Tassa Deparis, who led the group talks about the need for this kind of project; “The women who took part in this project were so open and happy to tell their stories, which showed a real hunger and need for projects like this to be developed, and more spaces for mothers to unpick this period of their life.”

“Everything we found and uncovered was so rich and so complicated. It really was ‘delicate’ material. There was beauty, humour, things that we felt privileged to be a part of, as well as things that were really difficult to explore.” – Tassa Deparis

With the success of the pilot, one of the aims is to have an artistic performance of some kind for an audience to consider the stories of mothers and how integral they are to a healthy and thriving society – watch this space!

Rivers of Light

Posted on May 2023May 2023 by Lucy Amos

Newmarket’s community lantern parade ‘Rivers of Light’ took place in February 2023, bringing some cheer to the winter nights for almost 600 local residents. The community gathered to celebrate the origins of Newmarket, the chalk streams that run through the town, and the local community groups. Inspired by ancient light festivals and the history of the Newmarket, residents paraded along The Yellow Brick Road with beautiful handmade lanterns.

Newmarket Community Arts and Newmarket Community Nature Reserve looked at previous research about the Newmarket Watercourse. Through investigation and talking to ecologist Kevin Hand, it became clear that Newmarket has chalk streams running through the town. Chalk streams are now listed as a priority habitat by the Environment Agency. Newmarket had a lantern parade a few years ago which was very popular, so Newmarket Community Arts and Newmarket Community Nature Reserve felt that another lantern parade would work well to bring people together and raise awareness about this unique habitat in Newmarket.

In the lead up to the event, Newmarket Community Arts worked with arts educator and illustrator Penny Sobr to deliver willow lantern making workshops to local groups including the Rainbows, Brownies and Guides, and the International Women’s Group organised by Sharing Parenting. There were six workshops in total with almost 200 people taking part. This included two free public drop-in workshops at The Racing Centre, to support the community in making their own willow lanterns for the parade.

“Brilliant, fun, great community spirit and turnout”

There was almost 80 people performing, including musicians, dancers, and singers. With performances from Newmarket School of Dance and Slack McGirdle Morris Dancers, there was lots of entertainment along the way. A new song was also performed which was especially commissioned for the project.

The route started on the green on the Yellow Brick Road behind Frampton Close, where it took around 40 minutes for the parade to complete the journey. A shorter route of 20 minutes was also available for those who wished to join part way through. The parade then culminated at Studlands Park Social Club where there was food and live music to enjoy.

“Next year please!“

Rivers of Light was presented by Newmarket Community Arts in partnership with MarketPlace – Creative People and Places and Newmarket Community Nature Reserve.

Kids Business

Posted on May 2023May 2023 by Lucy Amos

Over a series of workshops, the Kids Business project enabled a group of young people in March to grow ideas, cultivate skills and create a new business, conjured up through their imagination. They came up with the entrepreneurial idea of escape sheds based on Harry Potter and Willy Wonka.

All the decisions were handed over to young people aged 5 – 15. They worked together in a creative environment across a range of ages and backgrounds. The project gave them space to think through ideas and select the nature of the business, making creative and practical decisions. The budding entrepreneurs were empowered to design and come up with wildly imaginative ideas. The project saw amazing young people designing, creating and running micro escape sheds in the town of March.

“The creative space gave rise to friendships that can’t and don’t usually happen in the school situation“

With the decision to place the sheds in West Park, there was a great deal of curiosity and enthusiasm from members of the public passing through. The sheds were open to the public for two weekends, both of which were fully booked with a variety of family audiences, teenagers and young adults.

The project was playful with many creative aspects, but also combined with some serious learning curves about entrepreneurship and thinking about future aims and ambitions. The sense of ownership was a huge part of the success of the project – all the elements were thought through by the young people, including the key task of targeting certain audiences. Lots of work went into focusing on who their target audience were, and how they might make their escape sheds appealing to that audience.

Katherine Nightingale from 20Twenty Productions who co-created the project along with Hunt & Darton said: “This process of continual discussion and decision making was a genuine example of having young people have their say and being empowered to act on their voices being heard.”

“Creating new ideas and working with young people in our rural town settings is vital“

The young people openly said that the project had a positive impact on their daily lives, including family and school difficulties. It also helped them to think about their futures without fear. Parents were able to have some involvement too; some acted as a focus group where the young people pitched their ideas and invited them to vote for their favourite concept.

“The project allowed the young people to play within the structure and have fun being imaginative together. The creative space gave rise to friendships that can’t and don’t usually happen in the school situation – the intergenerational aspect of Kids Business with 5yr olds working with 14yr olds is delightful and so productive in terms of their learning how to work together.” – Hunt & Darton

“The project emphasised how important our work with young people is. Being able to offer new and varied projects that stimulate their minds and encourage them to interact with their community was brilliant. Creating new ideas and working with young people in our rural town settings is vital.” – 20Twenty Productions

The project was run by Hunt & Darton in partnership with 20Twenty Productions and commissioned by MarketPlace Creative People and Places.

A Dragon in The Spinney!

Posted on August 2022August 2022 by Colin Stevens

It’s always a privilege to offer something creative for the young peoples and families who attend National Play Day at The Spinney, an adventure playground that is a gem in Wisbech.

Fenland & East Cambs artist, Cary Outis, had already begun work on a Carnival Dragon head on another project. Sadly that project didn’t find its way to the finish line but we felt the National Play Day would give us the opportunity to introduce the Carnival Dragon idea and involve children, young people and their families in painting, decorating and building the much-needed body.

The creative challenge was to build segments of the Dragon body making hoops with willow withies (the carnival artists’ staple ingredient). Then carry out a good ol’ tie-dye process by winding elastic bands round the cloth and splashing with special fabric dye.

It was fascinating to see how enthusiastic young minds were to take part in the repetitive task of tieing elastic bands onto the cloth. Understanding the process, curiosity and imagination came to the fore with young children enjoying working with their parents in creative teams.

The Magic of Making

The artistic process seemed to fascinate those who joined us. The yellow, orange and red colours created a stir and there were raised eyebrows and a few giggles when Cary told the young creators…

“right now we have to roll it up like a sausage and then we put it in the microwave!”

The concentration and focus of the young people was impressive. A group of teenage girls stayed with us for over an hour or more – painting, building and helping to display the dragon around the playground.

Those creative conversations…

We had agreed with Playworkers, Violet and Rachel, that we would refresh the always ongoing community conversation about what arts and creative activity could take place in and around the playground. And also encourage local people to become ‘Friends of The Spinney’ to help put on community events and support the team. After 2 years of Covid it was refreshing to meet people face to face and enjoy talking to them.

One family loved the idea of gymnastics and trampolining. “Could that be part of something like a Circus?” Colin asked.

“Ooh, yeah that would be fab!” said Mum, “You could have things like the dragon with acrobats, clowns and dancers and all sorts”.

That’s the sort of creative thinking we like.

Other families loved music. Drumming was a suggestion. Samba drumming perhaps? Smiles and raised eyebrows. Circus and carnival ideas beginning to emerge?

Crossing the Border

Our West Suffolk Community Producer, Louise Eatock, came across the Fens to spend the day helping create the Carnival Dragon and have her first experience of The Spinney.

Louise was thrilled and amazed at the potential of the Playground to be a vibrant and lively community venue. Louise’s skills as a teacher and now Producer for Newmarket Community Arts were a great help.

With a big smile she said:

The atmosphere was so friendly and seeing families enjoying the location and activities was lovely. And the play team were brilliant. It was a real thrill to be part of it.

Inevitably the excitement and enjoyment of young people feeds off onto the adults. Louise was excited about the idea of creating Carnival events across the Fenland & West Suffolk region with communities in different towns being encouraged to support one another’s events as they happen.

We’re excited too and now the challenge is keeping the conversation going with community members keen to talk about creative activities in the towns where they live.

Oh… the Dragon needs a name. Any ideas?

Thanks to Dan Donovan for the photography ©MarketPlace2022

VOICES FROM THE LAND

Posted on June 2022June 2022 by Colin Stevens

Fenscapers’ first live performance

The creative writing group that began during Lockdown 2020 prepares for it’s first live performance of a collection of work inspired by the Fen landscape.

As part of the Ely Arts Festival the group will be performing their work at the Prince Albert Pub on Silver Street at 3.30pm on Sat. 25th June. (map below)

The show promises some laughs, some sad and some imaginative views about the Fenland region with the writers all taking very different approaches to their work.

Performing live is an exciting prospect after the group created their first podcast recording at the end of 2021.

You can listen to it HERE

The 45mins performance is free and we hope that audience members will enjoy sitting in the garden rooms with a drink, letting the ambience of a summer afternoon take the imagination across the unique flat landscape that surrounds us.

If you would like to talk to COLIN about the event contact him by email:

colin@marketplacearts.org.uk

PLATINUM JUBILEE LANTERNS

Posted on May 2022August 2022 by Colin Stevens

WELL KNOWN ACTOR LENDS HIS VOICE TO

BRANDON LANTERNS JUBILEE EXPERIENCE

Brandon Creative Forum are thrilled that well known actor Terry Molloy, of The Archers and Dr Who fame, has lent his voice to the town’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The actor, best known for playing the character of Davros in Dr Who and Mike Tucker in The Archers, has recorded a special version of the Brandon poem “An Evening’s Walk” written by Suffolk poet, George West, in 1860. The audiopoem is a key part of a unique colourful lantern installation along Victoria Avenue which will form the Creative Forum’s Jubilee Lantern Avenue.

Funded by the Arts Council England’s Let’s Create Jubilee Fund through Suffolk Community Foundation and the Miller Trust Fund, the lanterns were on display from Thursday 2nd – Monday 6th June and the accompanying sound poem can be downloaded from SoundCloud.

SOUNDCLOUD LINK: https://bit.ly/AnEveningWalkPoem

MarketPlace: Creative People and Places are supporting the creation of the project and Ali Atkins is delighted for the Brandon Creative Forum team. She said: “The lanterns and the poem are all about Brandon. We knew we needed a voice that could bring the poem to life for people listening to it as they walk along Victoria Avenue. Terry’s recording has done an incredible job and you really do feel as if you are walking along with the poet!”

Forty Brandon lanterns, including designs from over 22 community groups’, were on display in the Victoria Avenue trees from Thursday 2nd – Monday 7th June and the accompanying sound poem can still be downloaded from SoundCloud. The lanterns were enjoyed in daylight and also solar powered for an illuminated photographic journey through Brandon history at dusk.

Jill Blanchard from Brandon Creative Forum said: “It’s incredibly exciting. Victoria Avenue was first created for one of Queen Victoria’s Jubilees. And it was honoured with Chinese style lanterns. So our Lanterns are like an echo of that event. We think people are going to be proud of their contributions to the Platinum Jubilee.”

For more information contact Ali by email ali@marketplacearts.org.uk

See more photos from the project on Flickr:

Objects and Stories

Posted on March 2022August 2022 by Alice Cramer

Visit the Objects and Stories exhibition at Newmarket Library until 20 August 2022 as part of Suffolk Libraries Let’s Get Creative project.

We’ve been working with Suffolk Libraries, artist Michelle Brace and residents in Brandon and Newmarket on a community project collecting the stories connected with objects that have special meaning in our lives; a special memory, a precious gift, an heirloom, something familiar.

Michelle chatted to residents, photographed their significant objects and recorded their stories. Displays have been created with local community groups to share the project with the wider community in the libraries. The photos and stories are also being shared on Instagram building a library of objects and stories for people to view and listen to online. You can also listen to these stories via SoundCloud here.

With thanks to the groups that have taken part in the project so far:

Newmarket

Brandon

This project has been designed in collaboration with community members and Suffolk Libraries’ Let’s Get Creative project. Let’s Get Creative is a new web resource for everyone to use to find free and affordable activity across Suffolk.
For more information please click here.

Read about Michelle’s previous project, Mantelpiece here.

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