A colourful Art Buffet event has made hundreds of individual creations which celebrate the community of Cleator Moor
The On Our Doorstep Art Buffet, held at Crossfield Community Centre, was designed to boost wellbeing through art. Research shows that taking part in creative activities can be good for mental health, and bring people together.
The works of art made by the public will be curated into an exhibition which will go on show at a public venue this Summer. The On Our Doorstep project is being led by Cumberland Council with funding from Sellafield Social Impact Fund.
A team of West Cumbrian freelance artists led the public in two days of workshops, alongside a literal buffet of tasty local food by Cockermouth-based Wild Zucchinis.
Artists Di McGhee and Sophie Bass are both based in Cleator Moor. They were joined by Frizington-based Janice Murray, Whitehaven’s Anne Blankson-Hemans, Anja Phoenix from the Solway Coast, Maryport’s Charlotte Stephenson, and Clare Parker from Egremont.
The community came out in force to support them, with older residents putting their memories on Anja’s Cleator Moor Map, and reminiscing through Janice’s carnival photos.
Younger participants made quirky masks and portraits with Charlotte and Sophie, painted and printed glorious signposts with Di, and everybody enjoyed creating beautiful patterned tiles with Clare.
Anne Blankson-Hemans' 'Our Cleator Moor' video project drew out some fascinating stories unique to the Moor, including dragon and phoenix connections, 'sledging' down Cardboard Hill, and even attracted a resident who was born in the old Commercial Inn.
Anne Waggot is the Art Buffet’s creative consultant, on behalf of Cumberland Council. She said: “What a fabulous weekend on the Moor. Everyone who provided feedback said they would be more likely to do more arts activities as a result of the On Your Doorstep initiative, and people said the event was welcoming, inclusive, fun, joyful and creative.
“We’ll be announcing details of the Summer exhibition soon. The challenge is going to be fitting everything in!”
Councillor Anne Quilter is Cumberland Council’s Executive Member for Vibrant and Healthy Places. She said: “I want to thank the Cleator Moor community for joining in the fun at the weekend.
“Cleator Moor is in the midst of £22.5 million of regeneration work so there was plenty to showcase about its past, and its future. Now I’m looking forward to seeing the completed exhibition which brings all of this colour and character together.
“We had a fabulous turnout for this first Art Buffet event and we hope to roll it out to other locations too. Watch this space!”
For more information about the Art Buffet visit www.onourdoorstep.org