Saturday 27 August 2022
Create your own piece of unique heritage artwork in creative workshops led by local artists.
This Saturday 27th August, local artists and designers will host creative workshops for all the family at the Derham Lounge, Winter Gardens, Blackpool. ‘Handmade High Street’, part of Blackpool Heritage Action Zone, will see a full day of creative workshops, each paying homage to a different aspect of Blackpool’s heritage and culture.
For just £2 per workshop, participants will have the opportunity to create their own unique, handmade pieces of artwork, trying their hand at art styles such as sign-painting, cupcake-decorating, monotype-printing, and lantern-making. They will be able to explore their own creativity in a fun space, and take home the artwork that they create on the day.
Val Hesketh, who will host a workshop in which participants can design and create their own tea light lanterns inspired by Blackpool’s iconic buildings and architecture, says:
“I am so excited to have this opportunity. I have been working hard to draft templates for lanterns that will showcase some of the outstanding architecture we walk by everyday in Blackpool.”
Melanie Kelly, owner of Mel Kelly Cakes & Bakes, will be leading a cupcake-decorating workshop:
“On the day we’ll be making Blackpool-themed cupcake toppers with modelling fondant and other edible media – artwork you can take away and eat!”
Norma Foulds, who can be spotted selling her art at some of Blackpool’s Creative Markets, will host a monotype printing session based on Blackpool’s buildings:
“I’m so excited about this workshop! Looking at buildings is fascinating, and Blackpool has some amazing places. My workshop is a mono print workshop, and printing is always such an exciting process – you never know what you are going to get until you reveal your print. My work often uses found/ vintage materials which makes each piece unique. I hope people coming to the workshop can also enjoy using unique materials and making some fantastic prints.”
Other artists on the day are local screen printer Robin Ross, and sign painter Lisa Wigham of The Two a.m. Press, whose work can be seen around Blackpool town centre on the windows of Nook Bar and seafront hotel Art B&B.
The workshops run throughout the day on Saturday 27th August, and are only £2 per person per workshop. Each workshop can be booked by visiting www.bit.ly/HAZ-August
The workshop day is part of Blackpool’s Heritage Action Zone project, a partnership between Blackpool Council and Historic England. The project aims to use Blackpool’s heritage to bring new and diverse visitors to the town centre, giving it a new relevance for both local communities and visitors alike.
The project centres on historic buildings and how heritage can be used to improve the look and feel of the high street by restoring and enhancing them. There’s also a cultural programme to bring new activity to the high street and to engage local communities in creative activity. This includes setting up heritage tours, street theatre and taster workshops for local people to try out different arts and crafts.
