fbpx

Creative Callout: Opportunities for kids in Summer 2023

From filmmaking to comedy, art and activism, hereโ€™s a round up of opportunities for young people in Blackpool to get their creative juices flowing this summer.
Handmade High Street Workshops

Blackpoolโ€™s Heritage Action Zone is currently providing a series of creative workshops with artists and makers and many of them are perfect for children and families.

I Love Blackpool โ€“ A paper collage tribute to our town
Friday 28th July at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street, ยฃ2.50, book here.

In this paper collage workshop with artist Sarah Buckett, youโ€™ll be celebrating the Blackpool we know and love through a series of handmade postcards using chopped up magazines and hand decorated papers.

At the end of the session, you will have a truly original piece of art you can then frame and hang at home (or send to someone you wish was here).

Blackpool Sculptures with Lisa Kenney
Saturday 12th July at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street, ยฃ2.50, book here.

Using the Blackpool HAZ area as inspiration, youโ€™ll recreate your favourite aspects of Blackpoolโ€™s landmarks or lesser-known monuments alongside animation director Lisa Kenney.
At the end of the session, you will have your very own plasticine sculpt to show off โ€“ which will come together to form a tiny town for display, or can be taken home individually and displayed proudly at home.

Paint Your Own Planter with Pot Bound
Thursday 17th August at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street, @2.50, book here.

Unleash your creativity and paint your own terracotta pot, perfect for your garden, windowsill or table. Local artist Iz Durose will guide you through the painting basics so that you can paint your own pottery masterpiece.

Iz will encourage you to get messy, creative and daring in your design. Whether you want to do your own thing or want step-by-step help, these sessions will allow you to have fun and explore your creativity. Combine your love of nature and your love of art in one therapeutic painting session.

Print & Play – Lino printing for families with Ian Halawi
Thursday 31st August, Central Library, ยฃ2.50, book here.

Create your own unique piece of artwork made up of layers of coloured prints guided by artist Ian Halawi.

Choose from a selection of lino blocks/stamps, ink them up using ink pads in a variety of colours, and then print them onto paper, making your own piece of printed artwork. Each print block will be inspired by the architectural details that can be found in the Blackpool Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) area.

Learn about traditional printing techniques and colour theory, and explore the richness and beauty of the buildings and structures in the HAZ area. You’ll not only go home with ayour own striking artwork, but also with a sense of curiosity about the area the prints were inspired by.

Creative Writing Workshops with Susan Brownrigg

Saturday 30th September at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street, ยฃ2.50, book here.

Storyboarding is a method used by film directors to plan out their movies using visual images. In this interactive workshop with childrenโ€™s author Susan Brownrigg, you will focus on breaking down your story idea into big scene moments.

Look at storyboard examples used by Alfred Hitchcock and animators before creating your own version. Art skills aren’t important – you can use stick characters if you are not confident at drawing!

Learn about the Winter Gardens and look at old postcards and other images that depict the entertainment complex through time. Then choose one of the venues as the setting for your story.

House of Wingz LGBTQ+ project

2.30-4.30pm on select dates throughout the summer, House of Wingz, Back Reeds Road, free, enrol here.

This summer 11-17 year olds who identify as queer are invited to House of Wingzโ€™ safe space. Guided by older members of the queer community they will be given the opportunity to explore their creativity and develop their confidence around their identity.

The space will be sociable and welcoming, offering young people a place to just come and hang out but there will be various workshops and activities including activism, fashion, photography and online content making.

The space is open from 2.30pm-4.30pm on select dates and a nutritious meal will be provided.

BFI Film Club

2nd-19th August at Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street, free, sign up here.

Budding filmmakers aged 12-15 years are invited to take part in Blackpoolโ€™s BFI (British Film Institute) film club.

Youโ€™ll learn how films are made, and with help from our industry professionals, youโ€™ll try your hand at lots of different skills including scriptwriting, model-making, filming on location, cinematography and video editing.

Your final film will be shown at a big showcase event and youโ€™ll be able to invite all your friends and family.

Lunch is provided on each of the six full day sessions as well as any materials needed for you to take part in the activities.

There will also be a visit to the cinema and to special filming locations.

Open up the Mic

7th-11th August, various locations in the town centre, free, booking: Call: 01253 478624, text/WhatsApp: 07469020861, email: [email protected].

Open up the gives 12-16 year olds the opportunity to meet new friends and grow your confidence whilst having a laugh!

This short course will be delivered by Blackpool comedian, Ruth Cockburn who will help you write your own jokes, explore how to feel more comfortable using your own voice and enjoy performing.

If youโ€™d like to find out more about our previous Open Up the Mic courses and the young people involved, read more here.

Reclaim Blackpool - Mapping Sexual Harrasment
  • Avatar photo

    Antonia Charlesworth Stack is a journalist and editor from Blackpool. She was deputy editor of Big Issue North magazine and is editor of Blackpool Social Club. Antonia is also the founder of Reclaim Blackpool, a women's safety campaign that began life as an article she wrote for Blackpool Social Club. She's a contributing author to the Lancashire Stories anthology with her story about a Blackpool performer, The Call of The Sea. The book is available for free in libraries across the county.

  • Show Comments (0)

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

comment *

  • name *

  • email *

  • website *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You May Also Like

Winter Gardens Heritage Tour

Heritage Open Days Throw Open The Doors

Recently I wrote on here about the number of excellent small parks we have ...

Blackpool Tower

Cash for Communities

Local communities could benefit from a pot of money available to improve lives around ...