The idea of Open Days has developed since this project began.
In the beginning we hosted bi-weekly Free Fridays. Free participatory events on a Friday afternoon in public places in the neighbourhoods. We offered poetry on Langley Green shopping parade, Cyanotype printing on Broadfield Barton and theatre workshops in West Green. This idea then became Saturday Sessions – day long events that involved a series of creative workshops or talks, topped off by an outstanding performance. We hosted a Japan Day in County Mall Shopping Centre with sweet making and Manga, projection mapping in Ifield at the Apple Tree Hindu Centre, guerilla gardening and street dance in West Green and in Cherry Lane Adventure Playground, we hosted a sound workshop that helped us listen to trees and a bar that served sounds rather than drinks. And so much more…the monthly sessions proved incredibly popular.
These events were all free to attend and for us, a chance to meet new people and find out more about the communities and neighbourhoods we work in.
As part of our commitment to make arts and culture in Crawley open to all, we now programme regular free Open Days in easy to access and familiar local spaces all over Crawley.
We programme these open days with care, to showcase quality work by local, national and international artists and performers which reflects the voices and stories of Crawley and its people. We work in partnership with local organisations to make them happen. From County Mall Shopping Centre in he town centre to Dormans Youth Arts Centre, Gossops Green and Freeshop Crawley in Bewbush, we go where people are and offer creativity to all.
Past open days have included live music by African Night Fever, Bharatanatyam Dance performance and workshops by Shreya Kallingal, roaming musicians from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, interactive VR experiences, creative art workshops, mural art and there’s always delicious free food on offer too.
As well as providing the chance to watch and take part in a range of vibrant, creative activities, the Open Days also invite local people to find out more about Creative Crawley and have a say in what happens in the Creative Crawley programme.
You can read more about them HERE
