A group created to celebrate and encourage children’s creative flair is set to stage an exciting new workshop. Story Factory Chichester is to return with a new workshop and even though it’s Easter, children will be “jingling” all the way!
An Awfully Big AD-venture aims to provide sessions in creative writing, art and music in an imagination-stretching day that will see children exploring persuasive writing through the creation of their own advertisements.
Working to the briefs of local businesses including Pinks Vintage Ice Creams, The Sweet Jar, Russells Garden Centre and Sussex Arts Academy, poster design will form the art element, with the music session focussing on the making of TV and radio commercial jingles, led by Story Factory’s resident musician Mike Fry. There will also be storytelling sessions in the Cosy Corner for younger children.
Story Factory, founded in 2014 by Chichester writers Katy Lassetter and Vicky Edwards, is suitable for children aged (approximately) 6-13; guest experts help youngsters to free their imaginations and to explore stories through words, art and music. Past guests include authors, publishers, illustrators, story massage practitioners, and newspaper editors, all of whom have loved being part of the buzz of inventiveness and originality.
“From the moment the children arrive they are bursting with ideas for stories – it’s like being at the centre of a what-if whirlwind,” said Abi McMahon, a previous guest expert from Summersdale Publishers.
Previous workshops have been a huge success with both parents and children. Tanya Hatton, the mother of one of our regular Story Factory Chichester attendees, says: “It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring together children with energy and imagination, as well as talented grownups, to generate a fabulous result!”
Wilf, 12, adds: “Story Factory is great fun; you have the chance to let your imagination run wild and write whatever you want. There are no rules and it feels really free. We all have a chance to share our ideas too, which is cool.”
Sussex Arts Academy (SAA), which aims to provide easier access to the best in arts and cultural education for young people across West Sussex, plays an important part in this creative event.
SAA has helped Story Factory Chichester to secure funding from the National Association of Decorative & Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS), a leading arts charity that opens up the world of the arts for everyone to enjoy, learn, participate in, and preserve.
David Sword, director of operations for SAA, said: “Sussex Arts Academy is delighted to be supporting Story Factory Chichester again. Children need access to good arts enrichment programmes and we fully endorse Story Factory’s inclusive approach.”
Booking information: Taking place at St Wilfrid’s Church Community Hall, Sherborne Road, Chichester (10.00-4.30), with a sharing of work presented for parents of participants at the end of the day. For further details and booking email katy@chichestercopywriter or call 01243 533421. Or look them up on Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoryFactoryChichester/
