Encountering creativity unexpectedly is joyous. That’s been our intention with Saturday Sessions; to offer creative activities that are drop-in, free and taking place across the town.
Over the last year, we’ve welcomed 625 audience members across 11 Saturday Sessions events, joined by local and national artists, creatives and practitioners.
From Japanese Sweet Makers Noriko Jazayeri (Cafe An-An) creating sweets with the community as part of our ‘Japan!’ day, to Second Hand Dance’s sensory adventure of a show ‘The Sticky Dance’ for neurodivergent audiences, to ‘Big Scale Art’ which included local residents having a go at projection mapping onto buildings led by practitioner Maggie Slabon and with huge thanks to The Apple Tree Centre and Crawley Astronomical Society, to the vibrancy of Working Boys Club with their musical bar ‘Serving Sounds’ in Langley Green. It’s been a jam packed year and we’ve shared some truly momentous events with the people of Crawley.
Participant at Big Scale Art event, November 2024, The Apple Tree Centre, Crawley. Image credit: Creative Crawley Team.
We rounded off the spring season in June with a trio of treats: Paul Mann from Grow London hosted a talk on How To Set Up A Community Garden, much loved forager extraordinaire Izzy Johns (Rights For Weeds) graced Crawley once again with folklore and a foraging walk and last but most certainly not least dancer Chad Taylor and company performed their outdoor hip-hop dance performance ‘Closer To My Dreams’ exploring the experience of being a young black man in the 21st century, supported by Without Walls.
Last month’s Saturday Sessions took place at the Charis Centre where the variety of activities offered meant that there was something for everyone to at least dip their toes into (and the sun held out for us – bonus!).
Participants on a Foraging Walk with Izzy, June 2024, Cherry Tree Lane, Langley Green, Crawley. Image credit: Ian Greenland.
We’ve presented a broad brushstroke of artforms across the last year and we know you’ve enjoyed it too with people saying:
“This was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen or experienced in my life. The body control, the movement and the composition of music is just incredible. I really hope that I could move like that at some point and engage more with Creative Crawley!!” – Audience member, Closer To My Dreams by Chad Taylor
Performers in Closer To My Dreams by Chad Taylor, June 2025, Charis Centre, West Green, Crawley. Image credit: Leyla Güler.
“Brigitte Aphrodite was brilliant. Will certainly return to see more things put on through Creative Crawley.” – Audience member, Living Legends by Brigitte Aphrodite
“We thoroughly enjoyed the show this afternoon. My son who is non-verbal also enjoyed the show and participated by copying actions in his own way. I definitely will be looking out for other shows to attend!” – Audience member, The Sticky Dance by Second Hand Dance
As the Creative Crawley team get our thinking hats on over the next few months, what do you want to see happen creatively in Crawley? Check out How We Programme and also tell us your suggestions by emailing [email protected].
Enjoy being outdoors and want to get involved in the community?
Join Crawley Community Action every Wednesday morning 10-1pm to get involved in creating a Community Garden. See @crawleycommunityaction on Instagram for more information.
