The Cultural Spring: Summer 2019

The Cultural Spring has unveiled its new summer creative programme.

I’m delighted to once again be offering calligraphy workshops in South Shields, but there’s plenty of other activities to get involved in.

The Cultural Spring is funded by the Arts Council England to improve access to the arts in Sunderland and South Tyneside and has been running since 2014.

Its latest programme brings the second phase of the project to a close, although a funding bid has been submitted for a third phase.

Music and performance activities include Social Singing at Back on the Map in Sunderland, Find Your Voice at Perth Green Community Association in Jarrow and Theatre and Performance at Grindon Church Community Project in Sunderland.

A Spectacular Drag Storytime has also been programmed in conjunction with Curious Arts, with performances taking place at The Customs House in South Shields and The fans Museum in Sunderland on Wednesday, July 3.

Hendon Writing Group meets at Back on the Map in Sunderland and photographer Jo Howell runs a photography club at her studio in Whickham Street, Sunderland.

Textiles and crafts activities include Fun with Fabrics: Glorious Gardens at St Luke’s Church in Sunderland, Creative Crafts at Perth Green Community Association in Jarrow and Printing on Fabrics at Sunderland Women’s Centre.

There’s also ceramics at Marsden Road Health and Well-being Centre in South Shields, Upcycling Furniture classes at Parker Trust in Sunderland and glass fusing at Monkton Park Methodist Church in Jarrow.

A series of Clean and Green workshops are also being supported by Sunderland City Council’s Strategic Initiative Budget, including Family Eco-crafts, Pl-abric Bunting and Banner Making and Creative Gardening and Recycling.

You can also learn to play the ukulele and take part in storytelling workshops in the city.

The Cultural Spring’s Go and See tours this summer include trips to the Mining Art Gallery and Auckland Tower in Bishop Auckland on Saturday, June 15 and Dippy on Tour: A Natural History Adventure at Great North Museum: Hancock on Friday, July 19.

For full listings and booking details, visit www.theculturalspring.org.uk, where you can also read a guest blog from me about working with The Cultural Spring.