Story Factory Chichester, a group set up to celebrate and encourage children’s creative flair, is launching a new workshop – and it’s simply beastly!
‘Magical Portals and Mythical Beasts’ will provide sessions in creative writing, art and music in one imagination-stretching day as an umbrella theme for the next Story Factory workshop.
Taking place at the end of half term on Friday 27 October, the focus will be on stories that allow a full and free creative rein. From Platform 9 ¾ to Alice’s rabbit hole and Narnia’s Wardrobe, stories of portals to magical lands – filled with mythical creatures – continue to delight and thrill.
The workshop will focus especially on descriptive writing and rhythm, with specialist practitioners supporting children in writing about and illustrating their accounts of a trip into a strange new realm.
Resident musician Mike Fry will facilitate the musical element, including the ever-popular “big song writing challenge” creating plenty of fun and games along the way.
Chichester writers Katy Lassetter and Vicky Edwards founded Story Factory in 2014 have aimed the group at children aged between six and 13 giving them a chance 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 such inventiveness and originality.
Abi McMahon, a previous guest expert from Summersdale Publishers, said: “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.”
Tanya Hatton, mum of a regular Story Factory attendee, said: “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, added “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: The workshop will take place on Friday 27 October at St Wilfrid’s Church Community Hall, Sherborne Road, Chichester. For booking email katy@chichestercopywriter or call 01243 533421.
