Residents of all ages are being invited to unleash their creative side this summer, as a programme of free workshops, pop-up typewriter sessions and an open mic night arrives in Altrincham, Hale and Bowdon as part of Trafford's borough-wide Our Creative Lives project.
Coordinated locally by Altrincham BID in partnership with OYEZ Arts, the programme pairs professional artists with the community to celebrate creativity, identity and place - and no experience is needed to take part.
The Shape of Our Tomorrow Workshops with Rob Lenihan
One of the featured projects, The Shape of Our Tomorrow, offers young people (12-25 year olds) the chance to help create a meaningful piece of public art inspired by their voices, experiences and hopes for the future.
Rob has had varied career as a mural artist, Hip Hop performer, children's illustrator, portrait artist, writer, and product designer. He is the founder of Brink Art Studio a non-profit studio delivering creative workshops to young people across Greater Manchester.
Across a series of creative workshops with Rob, participants will explore themes of identity, belonging and community, working together to help design a sculpture that will eventually be displayed publicly for everyone to enjoy.
"I can't wait to work alongside you to create something meaningful together and help your voices become part of a piece of public art that your whole community can experience," said Rob.
Workshop 1: How Do I See Myself Right Now?
Monday 20th July, 10am-1pm at OYEZ Arts, Altrincham Town Hall
Participants will create a self-portrait in clay, expressing who they are, what matters to them and where they feel they belong.
Workshops 2: My Town, My Space
Monday 27th July, 10am-1pm at OYEZ Arts, Altrincham Town Hall
Using clay and wire, participants will reflect on the places, memories and stories that matter most to them, helping to shape ideas for a larger public artwork representing their community.
Workshop 3: See My World
Monday 17th August, 10am-1pm at OYEZ Arts, Altrincham Town Hall
Participants will write poetry or song lyrics, or express themselves through paint, shapes and images on a collaborative artwork that celebrates identity and creativity. This workshop will be facilitated by both Rob Lenihan and Skye Lilly.
Sessions may be a little messy, so participants are encouraged to wear old clothes.
Creative Workshops, Typewriter Sessions and Open Mic with Skye Lilly
Artist Skye Lilly will also be leading a series of engaging creative workshops and interactive typewriter sessions as part of the Our Creative Lives programme, encouraging people of all ages to explore storytelling, creativity and connection.
Skye’s workshops will invite participants to experiment with words, ideas and artistic expression in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Alongside these workshops, her unique typewriter sessions will give members of the public the opportunity to share their thoughts, memories, hopes and reflections, which will be transformed into beautifully crafted poems and written pieces on a vintage typewriter.
Whether inspired by a personal story, a favourite place or a simple conversation, the typewriter sessions offer a chance to pause, connect and celebrate the voices that make up our local communities.
These creative activities are designed to be accessible to everyone, with no previous writing or artistic experience required.
“I am beyond thrilled to be working on the ‘Our Creative Lives’ project," said Skye. "Artistically exploring the livelihood of Altrincham, Bowdon and Hale really is a huge privilege.
"I hope to make it a joyous celebration of culture, to poetically explore the beauty of the area and the people that make it so – here and now. So come find me and my typewriter for a chat, ready to connect and create together.”
The workshops and Open Mic event are free to attend and bookable on Eventbrite.co.uk. There’s no need to book pop-up Typewriter Sessions.
Typewriter Sessions
Find Skye and her Typewriter on the streets, in the market and at your local. There you are warmly invited to share a moment, a word, a feeling or a memory that will be crafted into a bespoke typewriter poem on the spot. A unique gift for you, your loved one, your neighbour or your pet, to celebrate the people in our lives and the innate creativity in the heart of us all.
Friday 31st July, 12 noon- 3pm in the Visitor Centre, National Trust Dunham Massey, Altrincham, WA14 4SJ
Friday 31st July, 5-8pm at The Butchers Bar, 181 Ashley Rd, Hale, WA15 9SD
Saturday 1st August, 10-2pm on Shaw’s Road, Altrincham, WA14 1QU
Creative Writing Workshops
A Creative Writing experience where we deep dive into our inner creativity, transforming our mental chatter and busy bodies into art. No experience needed, this is open to anyone willing to get curious; to write and connect without expectations – whether you are a complete newbie or writing master. Turn up as you are to create a collaborative poetic portrait of what it feels like to live and be here, now.
Tuesday 28th July, 7-9pm at The Pavillion by Francs, 25 Cecil Rd, Hale, WA15 9NT
Book workshop at The Pavillion
Monday 17th August, 2-4pm at Nell’s Pizza, 2 George St, Altrincham WA14 1SG
Open Mic Night
Come for a special event in celebration of ‘Our Creative Lives’. A night of sharing words, poems, stories and memories of living in Altrincham, Bowdon and Hale. Come to listen, to connect, to celebrate creativity and the arts together.
Thursday 20th August, 7-9pm in The Lounge at Hive Stores, Grosvenor Road, Altrincham WA14 1LA
Everyone is encouraged to get involved in the Our Creative Lives programme which has been designed to bring communities together through creativity, giving local people the opportunity to learn new skills, meet others and help create artwork that celebrates the people and places of Altrincham, Hale and Bowdon.
