There is creativity flowing everywhere you look, from rainbows in windows, to finding new ways to interact with each other and a whole host of ideas and resources to be found online.
Did you know that there is an abundance of activities, challenges and courses provided by people and organisations in the Lancaster and Morecambe area for free, with the sole aim to inspire and promote creativity whilst we're at home?
If not, you do now...
(Ps - all photos are my own unless stated otherwise)
Photo courtesy of More Music
Creative West End
This awesome creative community based in the West End of Morecambe have stacks of ideas for us...
BOOK EXCHANGE Could you write a short piece or create an illustration for a book, in exchange for a copy once it's completed? You can write or draw anything that inspires you, but there are some ideas provided to get you started if you prefer. Get involved
COLOURING BOOK
Or you could produce a colouring picture for the 'West End Colouring Book of Wellbeing'. The first 100 submissions from the West End will also be offered a £25 voucher for Aldi.
ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES
Plus, there are three artist opportunities to peruse!
SHARE YOUR CREATIONS WITH OTHERS
Plus if you are creating whilst isolating, head on over to the 'Creativity is Contagious' Facebook Group and post your art. It's a place to share "creative responses to the pandemic – musical, literary, upcycling, textile, art of every medium. There are no boundaries."
Image from the Creative West End's Winter Market
(Dec 2019)
Wise Up Workshops
Wise Up Workshops theatre company (both old and new) members are contributing to regular virtual entertainment shows. The events are proving rather popular.
Wise Up had 37 entries for the most recent show involving families from Heysham to Wigan!
If you are interested in being involved in these fabulous online events please drop us an email at hello@wiseupworkshops.com.
Image taken from promo shoot for Wise-Up Theatre's
performance of Oliver! (Feb 2020)
Festival of Making
Sadly the Festival of Making, organised by Deco Publique, has been postponed due to the pandemic. However, that hasn't stopped them organising some online creative loveliness.
The team are providing some fantastic art projects that are easy to complete at home using materials you probably already have:
And keep an eye out for their fantastic Instagram Lives too.
The Dukes
DIGITAL DUKES CREATIVE HOMEWORK
The Dukes have commissioned North-West artists to provide online tutorials and challenges to inspire people whilst their at home. One of the first to be shared is a dance tutorial by Lisa Simpson Inclusive Dance Ltd Watch and follow along via the Facebook page.
INSIDE OUT EXHIBITION
The Dukes would like you to share art work you have made during this period, on the theme of 'things that bring you joy and comfort'. This will result in a community exhibition when we're all able to meet again. Find out more.
More Music
Horticultural creativity, music from home and some awesome entertainment.
THAT SPRING THING
As part of the annual neighbourhood celebration, Louise Clague from Petalos will be delivering pots, seeds or seedlings to yards and gardens around the West End of Morecambe. She'll then offer advice to residents on how to create beautiful displays in time for the online festival taking place on the 7th June (alongside plenty of performances too). The theme is 'The Power of Small Things'.
MUSIC FROM HOME
A plethora of free music resources for all ages can be found at the More Music blog page.
PLUS, STAGES LIVE IN LOCKDOWN
On 6 June our young musicians who take part in the More Music Young People's programme will present their end of term gig online for all to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of More Music.
Lancashire Youth Challenge
Lancashire Youth Challenge have commissioned artists from around the North West to create tutorial videos so that young people can start to create their own pieces of art, music, poetry and creative writing about living through these challenging times.
Discover digital tutorials on songwriting, spoken word and poetry, beat boxing and rap.
Morecambe Artist Colony (MAC)
Luminate Project, Callum Henry & supported by MAC
Help to create a virtual light display along an online Morecambe prom (and donate to two important charities if you can). A super quick and fun creative contribution to our community!
Ludus Dance
Ludus Dance provide resources to help with home schooling.
Download their free packs offering dance inspiration using interesting topics. " You can learn about the history of the suffrage movement with 'Mill Girls & Militants' and create your own moves. Or choose 'Code Breakers' to learn about WW1 coding and try out Morse Code and Semophore."
Image from Ludus Dance's performance at Light Up
Lancaster last November
Fun Palaces
Fun Palaces is a global organisation and Lancaster is our local 'palace', holding annual events.
Whilst we're at home, the FP team are putting together a free booklet of 'Tiny Revolutions of Connection' designed to inspire creativity at this time.
Art School Lancaster
Art School Lancaster have teamed up with The Exchange and invite you to create art in any medium you choose, for someone you miss, someone new or everyone!
Read more about 'The Art of Conversation' in their latest blog.
Creation Station
Joanna from Creation Station is taking care of the littlies via her fun craft sessions.
Joanna's sessions are designed for 2-6 year olds, but she also suggests ways that they can be adapted for older ones. All her crafts use materials from around the home.
Indigo Arts & Crafts
Even though the holiday club couldn't take place as normal this Easter, Bobbie from Indigo Arts & Crafts has been busy!
Find craft and baking tutorials for children, as well as weekly themed-challenges (with prizes) AND bed time stories over at her Facebook page.
Cotton On
Cotton On is based in Morecambe and hosts classes in arts and crafts such as sewing, embroidery, patchwork, dressmaking, felting, crafts.
Find Kerry's easy to follow video stitch tutorials and handouts at her Facebook page.
Yoga on Paper
Lucy Hampson, who is based in Lancaster, shows you how to create easy and mindful pattern drawings.
Suitable for all ages.
Palmer Art Zone & Classes
Local artist Jean Palmer provides lots of free art classes and projects on her Facebook page.
Artsy@home
Claire Nickell is Head of Art at the Girls Grammar School and started a Facebook group, crammed full of arty ideas to do through lockdown.
Find resources, activities, projects and competitions here.
Paint With Pete
One final favourite lock down activity of mine comes courtesy of Pete Obsolete, an artist from Manchester. Whilst this offering is a little further afield, that's the beauty of the online world - it had no geographical limits! Pete offers fantastic painting and drawing classes every Monday morning at 10am via the Manchester's Finest Facebook page.
* UPDATE: Pete has run his last 'Paint With Pete' workshop but they are still available to access online.
Stop Motion Animation Basics
I almost forgot, I delivered a free Stop Motion Animation Basics session via Facebook Live Last week, using the free Stop Motion Studio app.
I hope that you have found something that tickles your creative fancy.
Do let me know if you know of anything else provided by individuals and organisations local to Lancaster and Morecambe.
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