This spring, as the town begins to reawaken, Kirkby Lonsdale CIC as part of a collaboration with the Phoenix Rising project is delighted to offer a number of free arts-based activities for you to recharge and learn something new. The workshops are tasters for a new year-long programme of wellbeing activities that are aimed to make you feel-good, improve your mood, learn new skills and meet new people. The taster sessions in Kirkby Lonsdale have been developed in collaboration with Green Close and are for anyone living within Kirkby Lonsdale and the Lune Valley.
The Art Taster workshops are a new visual art and wellbeing offer that puts your health at the heart of living and working in our community. Make a space for your wellbeing needs, whilst learning, sharing your ideas and connecting with others on a programme of fun, creative activities led by professional artists who are experienced at helping people manage their emotional wellbeing using creative processes No previous experience is necessary – the important thing is you have an open mind and want to try doing something creative to support your wellbeing.
Green Close is a not-for-profit arts organisation based in the village of Mellingwho have been successfully developing & delivering creative programmes benefitting the wellbeing of communities in North Lancashire & South Cumbria for more than 24 years. In 2020 Green Close delivered the online Phoenix Project, a pilot visual art and mental wellbeing programme in response to Covid19, funded by ACE (Emergency Recovery Fund) in partnership with LSCFT Recovery College. Researchers from Lancaster University evaluated the programme’s impact, finding that participants reported a 16% increase in wellbeing.
Sign up to the Kirkby Lonsdale Newsletter to find out more about free Phoenix Rising Art Taster workshops and keep up to date with the year long Phoenix Rising programme.
Online Phoenix Rising Programme
There will be a range of programmes varying in length, starting with two online programmes this Spring before moving on to face to face sessions in the Lunesdale Hall in time for Summer (in line with government regulations).
Gratitude Gallery Smartphone Photography
The first will be a four-week photography programme called Gratitude Gallery which will run online each Friday from 30th April. Practicing gratitude is scientifically proven to make you happier by recognising the goodness in the world around you – and this is exactly what the Phoenix Rising programme aims to do.You will be guided by professional photographer Ginny Koppenhol as you capture your surroundings through the lens of appreciation and kindness, and at the end of the course this message will be spread throughout the community as your work is displayed voluntarily in businesses across town.
There are still some tickets available for this workshop so you can book on during May!
Discover more and book onto Gratitude Gallery.
Myths and Legends Mapmaking
Myths and Legends is designed for all the family. Do you like (hi)storytelling, myths, and folktales? Then put your artistic hats on and join artist and illustrator Kremena Dimitrova on an imaginative online journey down memory lane. During these two workshops you will learn about the different creative textual and visual ways you can use to bring historical information to life. All the work, ideas, and stories generated during the workshops will be used by Kremena to co-create a map of the locality. Put yourself on the map – what’s your tale of Kirkby Lonsdale?
Starting on Sunday 2nd May, the programme will run for two hours each week, led by artist illustrator Kremena Dimitrova, bringing Kirkby Lonsdale’s vivid and fascinating history to life through visual processes leading to a collaborative map. This is an exciting opportunity to learn something different and ignite your creative mind, whether for the first time in a while or for the first time ever
There are still some tickets available for this workshop so you can still book on during May!
Discover more and book onto Myths and Legends.
Face to Face Phoenix Rising Programme
The face to face Phoenix Rising Programme will be held at the Lunesdale Hall. We plan, subject to government guidelines, to begin this programme on Sunday 23rd May.
Kirkby Towntastic Making and Drawing: In & Outdoors
If you’re looking for a livelier way to de-stress, try the KirkbyTowntastic programme, which will take place both in and outdoors. This adventure starts at the Lunesdale Hall and moves into Kirkby Lonsdale with artist Danielle Chappell-Aspinwall letting the historic tales and natural awesomeness of the Lune Valley inspire you.
In these dynamic workshops you will doodle, make and draw – uniting as a group to decorate the community’s streets with your creations. Try one of the ‘KirkbyTowntastic’ three-hour sessions, or call by for a Family Friendly drop in session.
Discover more and book onto Kirkby Towntastic.
Tree of Life Working with Clay: Indoors
The Tree of Life workshops will be led by local ceramicist and environmental artist Sue Flowers. During the workshop you you will learn how to make your own ceramic candlestick inspired by the local environment and the things that make you who you are. Sue will share her knowledge of working with Mexican ceramic artist Tiburcio Soteno exploring how he creates this unique form of Mexican folk art. Finally lighting your candles in St Mary’s Church in a display of strength, beauty and growth, celebrating with the community as we rise out of Lockdown together.
There will be a a three week programme for adults from 23rd May to 20th June and a family friendly drop in session on Saturday 5th June
Discover more and book onto the three-week Tree of Life or the one-day Tree of Life
Booking Information for Phoenix Rising Workshops
Phoenix Rising Art Taster workshops are free and will run online or in Lunesdale Hall. We do ask for a £10 deposit per person or family which will be refunded at the end of each programme. We want this to be accessible to everyone – so please do contact us if this is a problem for any reason.
All courses are designed for adult participation – children are welcome at any of those titled Family Friendly.
Book onto any of the courses online here or ring the Information & Gift Shop on 015242 97177.
Phoenix Rising is a programme of free, friendly courses and events across Visual Arts, Physical Activity, and Nature for people in central & north Lancashire and South Cumbria. The programme’s key delivery patterns are Green Close, Lancashire Wildlife Trust and Mandala Yoga.
Funded by the Thriving Communities Fund made possible by funding from the National Academy for Social Prescribing, Arts Council England, Natural England and Historic England.