Libraries Across Devon Inspiring Everyone To Get Creating
A new season of events, brimming with imagination, is on its way, running from 1st August to 30th November. Under the theme of ‘Get Creating’, a huge array of events and activities are taking place from theatre to concerts, craft workshops to discos, and all within the library! No longer a place of ‘shhhh’, you can now head to the library to do everything from making a mermaid or a musical instrument to exploring insects and learning gardening techniques.
Watch the bookshelves get pushed to one side for discos for the over 60s one night, and little ones to rock out in the afternoon. There’s even an Agatha Christie inspired Library Lates where you can look for the bodies!
Watercolour, mosaic and screen-printing workshops might inspire you to learn something new. You can even create your own fantasy house – only your imagination is the limit! There’s plenty on for children, families and grown-ups to unleash their inner child.
StoryKind at Paigton Library offers a unique space to press pause on your daily demands and unwind whilst listening to stories. It provides a magic moment for anyone over 12 to relax either seated or lying down with cushions and blankets and listen to professional storyteller Sara Hurley.
There is a chance for everyone to contribute to Barnstaple’s impressive Reading Tree created by local artist James Lake. Or even do a course of tutored sea swimming at Saunton Sands followed by a screen printing workshop in response to the swimming. How about finding out How to Catch a Book Witch at Exeter Library from award-winning Coppice Theatre?
Rae Hoole, Creative Communities Producer from Libraries Unlimited, said:
“This is now our third year running these events. The libraries do an exceptional job programming some really unique events for their local communities, often activities they wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else and certainly not for the low cost price we are able offer them at. It is really exciting to see how people engage with these events and the joy it brings for everyone to get creating.”
Most of the events take place at Barnstaple, Paignton and Exeter Libraries, with other events scattered at smaller libraries throughout the season.
It is all funded by a grant from Arts Council England allowing Libraries Unlimited to boost its thriving programme of music, films, workshops and high-quality community events between 2023 and 2026. This means the libraries can offer free or low-cost events to their communities, encouraging everyone to come inside and get creating!
To find the full list of what’s on visit: What’s On – Libraries Unlimited
