Walsall Festival of Words takes place June 8th – 9th June in Walsall Town Centre
As contributors continue to confirm their attendance, the website is becoming populated with
tantalising sessions ranging from Dyslexia and Creative Writing (“Writing Pottery”) to Ekphrastic
Poetry, The highs and lows of podcasting, and lots of live poetry from local superstars.
Why not join us in the evening of day one for a table-reading of Macbeth from the team at YOUR BARD?
http://www.walsallwords.co.uk
https://facebook.com/WalsallWords
https://facebook.com/YOURBARD
University of Wolverhampton, BA(Hons) Musical Theatre graduation show: UK premiere of a new pop-rock musical
JASPER IN DEADLAND
Wednesday 11th May and Thursday 12th May 7.30pm Arena Theatre, Wolverhampton
Tickets £10 full price and £8 concessions Book by Hunter Foster and Ryan Scott Oliver Music by Ryan Scott Oliver
Additional Orchestrations by Solomon Hoffman
…in the spirit of Rent, Spring Awakening and Hadestown.
Jasper in Deadland is a modern reworking of the story of Orpheus and Euridice. It tells the story of Jasper, who journeys into the Afterlife to rescue their best friend, Agnes. In this Afterlife – Deadland – the dead forget life. And so too will Jasper, if they can’t get past the seven circles of Deadland: fearsome Cerberus the three headed dog, heavenly Beatrix, mysterious Lethe, and the biggest challenge of them all, their own self-doubt. Can Jasper bring their best friend back from the dead, or will they join the dead forever?
If you would like more information about the show please email Clare Chandler @Chandler, Clare and tickets can be purchased at https://wlv.ticketsolve.com/shows/873632469
Arts Connect Film Network and Flatpack present a Screen Skills Symposium, bringing together organisations and individuals from across the West Midlands and UK to explore skill shortages and how the industry can collaborate to support new, emerging and established talent and work towards reducing the skills shortage. 20th May, 10am – 4pm, The Studio, 7 Cannon Street, Birmingham. https://artsconnect.co.uk/please-mind-the-gap/
Let’s Connect – Tuesday 7th June, 4pm to 5pm, Online – Zoom, Free. Join Arts Connect as we bring together schools and the arts and cultural sector to explore how Cultural Education can continue to be delivered in partnership as we enter into the next phase of living and working with Covid. Hear from teachers from Primary, Secondary and SEN settings as they discuss their current situations and considerations, followed by further discussions and networking. For further information contact Lucy: l.cartlon-walker@wlv.ac.uk. To book your free place register here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-connect-tickets-320724153577
MOONBEAMS Seminar Series: “The Language of Photography in the Early Years”, Friday 24th June,
12.30 – 3.30pm, Midlands Arts Centre, £50 including lunch. In this practical seminar about photography in the early years, Kate Green will share her knowledge and experience to enable you to feel confident in using photography in exciting ways with your children. Kate will develop your skills and awareness of this expressive and communicative artform, so that you can use it to build development and learning across the EYFS that builds on children’s curiosity and their ways of
meaning-making. No experience is needed; this seminar will be engaging, practical and welcoming of all including Primary, Infant and Nursery schools, private, independent, and voluntary settings, child minders, artists, and those working in arts, cultural and heritage organisations working with children in a variety of capacities from the ages of 3 to 5 years. To book your place, please visit Eventbrite For additional information or queries contact: gemma.c@wlv.ac.uk
Arts Connect is seeking quotations for the development of a toolkit, training and consultation on Membership Models, Structures and Governance for Local Cultural Education Partnerships (LCEPs) in the West Midlands. Up to a maximum of £10,000 (plus VAT if applicable); an inclusive fee (to include travel costs). Deadline: Monday 9th May, 12.00 noon.
For further information visit: https://artsconnect.co.uk/lcep-consultant-commission-for- membership-governance-structure/
Development Co-ordinator (Freelance), Dudley Cultural Education Partnership (DCEP). Fee: £8,000 (40 days). DCEP is seeking an experienced freelance Development Co-ordinator/organisation (this is open to both individuals and organisations) to support the Steering Group to develop and deliver its planned programme and forward plan. The Development Co-ordinator will support DCEP by: Managing, recruiting and engaging new and existing DCEP members; co-ordination and administration of all meetings; co-ordinating digital and social media presence including updating the website (www.dcep.co.uk); identifying and applying for funding and investment with support from the Steering Group to fund DCEP activity and programmes. For further information visit: www.artsconnect.co.uk/news/
DCEP will be hosting two briefing session via Zoom on Tuesday 10th May from 10am to 11am and Monday 16th May from 3pm to 4pm for any interested individuals or organisations to find out more about the role and DCEP. If you would like to attend or would like to discuss the role further then please email Lucy Carlton-Walker (Arts Connect – Local Cultural Education Partnership (LCEPs) Manager): l.carlton-walker@wlv.ac.uk. Application closing date: Monday 23rd May, 12 noon.
Sandwell Cultural Education Partnership (SCEP), Creative Learning Producer Opportunity – Inside Outside programme. Freelance contract June 2022 – December 2023. Fee: £20,000. SCEP are looking to appoint a freelance Creative Producer who has the experience, capacity and ingenuity to lead on an exciting children and young people’s S.T.E.A.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Maths) programme called Inside Outside. Deadline: Monday, 30th May 2022, 12.00 noon. www.artsconnect.co.uk/sandwell-cultural-education-partnership-creative-learning-producer/
Grassroots cultural placemaking webinar, Tuesday 17th May. How can creative social entrepreneurs take ownership of cultural assets in their communities? In this webinar and panel discussion Nesta will explore the knowledge, skills and resources required to make the most of the opportunities. This webinar will focus on the support that creative entrepreneurs can access, as well as the role of finance and case studies on successful projects. The aim is to empower artists, social entrepreneurs and local groups to seize the opportunities for cultural asset ownership and breathe new life into their communities. Head of Arts and Culture Finance Seva Phillips will be joined by Nichole Herbert- Wood from Second Floor Studios & Arts, Mark Davyd from the Music Venues Trust and Bonnie Hewson from Power to Change.
Register here.
Read more about the importance of grassroots social enterprise to cultural placemaking (and what it all means!) in this blog by Seva Phillips.
Events at The New Art Gallery in May and early June
Masterclass with Karen McLean: Screen-printing and Embellishment Saturday 14th May, 10am – 4.30pm
In this special, day-long workshop participants will explore themes of colonial history, reproduction,
enslavement and resistance in Karen’s exhibition Ar’n’t I a Woman!.
Karen will demonstrate techniques in screen-printing and embellishment before participants design their own stencils, screen-print onto hessian, and embellish with gold thread, gold beads and cowrie shells, inspired by Karen’s work.
This workshop is suitable for people of all abilities. No prior making experience is necessary. Participants must be over the age of 18.
£21 per person; tea, coffee and biscuits included.
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, visit Reception, call 01922 654400 or email Catherine James catherine.james@walsall.gov.uk
For more information, visit https://thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/event/masterclass-with-karen- mclean-screen-printing-and-embellishment/
Walk and Draw
Dates: Saturdays 14th May, 11th June, 9th July, 13th August, 10th September, 8th October, 12th November, 10th December 2022
11am – 12.30pm
Artist Tess Radcliffe leads these fast paced and fun workshops.
Make speedy sketches of artworks in the Collections and temporary exhibitions, the Gallery’s architecture, the magnificent views from the Gallery’s windows, and the local area, including the
wildlife along the canal, public sculptures and historical buildings along the high street. The focus will vary each month therefore attendees are welcome to book onto all sessions, but this is not necessary.
Sessions will incorporate the five ‘Ways to Wellbeing’: take notice, be active, keep learning, connect,
and give.
No prior experience of drawing is necessary. All drawing materials are provided.
The sessions are accessible for mobility scooters and wheelchair users.
Please wear suitable attire and bring an umbrella for when we venture outside. This is an 18+ event.
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, visit Reception, call 01922 654400 or email Alex Jolly alex.jolly@walsall.gov.uk
Jason Wilsher-Mills workshops at The New Art Gallery Walsall
Take part in making wild and wonderful creations with artist Jason Wilsher-Mills this May. Create designs for a large-scale inflatable sculpture which will be on display during the summer in Walsall as part of the Commonwealth Games. In the sessions you will explore digital technologies, listen to and tell stories and create bold and beautiful designs for the sculpture.
These workshops are aimed at people over the age of 18 who identify as being disabled, and we welcome carers.
Select one of the following workshop dates: 11th, 12th or 13th May. Select a morning or afternoon slot: 10am – 12pm or 1pm – 3pm.
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, visit Reception, call 01922 654400 or email Catherine James catherine.james@walsall.gov.uk
Platinum Jubilee Family Day Saturday 4th June
Drop in, 11am – 3pm. All Ages welcome.
Enjoy a cuppa and a cupcake at our tea party, make lolly-stick Queen’s guards and platinum paper crowns, plaster cast your own coin design, help to decorate the building with red, white and blue wool, and contribute to our giant collaborative collage inspired by Hew Locke’s Jungle Queen II, in the Gallery’s Collection.
Tuesday Tots: Finger print caterpillars & symmetry bug paintings. Tuesday 24th May
Get creative, explore art materials and build fine motor skills. For toddlers, 2 – 4 years old with a carer.
£2 per child. Booking essential. Call 01922 654400 to book.
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, visit Reception, call 01922 654400 or email Catherine James catherine.james@walsall.gov.uk
