AN arts festival that champions community and creativity has received a huge funding boost ahead of this year’s event.
The organisers of the Dearne Community Arts Festival have celebrated a cash grant of more than £6,000 to make sure this year’s event, scheduled for September 26, can go ahead.
The festival has received £5,250 from the National Lottery Community Fund, which has been backed up by £800 from the Better Barnsley Bond and £500 from Big Local Goldthorpe and Bolton-upon-Dearne.
“We already have a great programme lined up, including exhibitions, workshops and performances,” said secretary Julie Turner.
“So many local people have great talents, and we will be looking at creativity in so many different forms, including painting, sand art, creative writing, crafts, circus skills, clay modelling, pyrography, music, dance and much, much more.
“Even now, when people are being forced to stay inside, creativity is flourishing and people are still making things, so we’re confident it will be an amazing festival for all to enjoy.”
Following in the spirit of last year’s mammoth community mosaic, that saw local schools and community groups combine with an artist to create a piece of work now displayed in Goldthorpe Library, the festival committee is set to be involved in two community projects.
The first is a mural on the Goldthorpe Railway Embankment, which was turned into a wildlife haven last year, and the second is a ‘sensory quilted banner’ that will be hung locally after the event.
If anyone would like to be involved in the festival - exhibiting work, selling goods, sharing your skills with us or performing - call Julie on 07729 421405 or email julie@gpcchurch.co.uk.
