The summer holidays are nearly here…..and I know what you’re thinking if you’re a parent!? What am I going to do with my mini mes over the Summer Holiday period……
Well there is LOTS going on in Central Gateshead, a real diverse mix of activities both indoors and outside for a range of ages. We want to keep your kids entertained, discovering new things and having lots of fun. That is what the English Summertime should all be about…..
Summer holiday activities kick off with a bang with a Theatre Set Design Workshop with Tanya Axford
Wailes Room, Gateshead Central Library – Saturday 16 July, 10am – 12.30pm
Work with visual artist Tanya Axford, who masterminded the set for ‘In A NutShell’ to create your very own imaginative theatrical world and become a part of it! This is a unique experience for theatre loving creatives to work with a professional!
In A NutShell set – Tanya Axford
For ages 7+ (all children must be accompanied by an adult).
£ 3 per child
We then move onto the launch of Summer Holiday Culture Camp
Have you got a budding artist at home who wants some inspiration in the summer holidays? Culture Camp gives young people aged 8-14 an opportunity to work with a different professional artist each day to try lots of interesting arts activities and materials.
Monday 25 July – Kate Eccles will help you to create your own unique hoodies and bags using recycled fabrics.
Bring along something you don’t mind cutting up and transforming by adding horns, flowers, skulls or animals.
£20
Tuesday 26 July – Artist Paul Merrick will have you mastering your drawing and painting skills using lots of different materials.
Move from 2d to 3d over the day and turn some of your ideas into your own sculptural mobile to take home for your bedroom.
£20
Wednesday 27 July – Try your hand at printmaking with experts from Northern Print Studio, with monoprinting in the morning and using letterpress in the afternoon to make cards, posters or bunting for your bedroom.
£20
Minecraft Special is a free drop in session…
Gateshead Central Library – Wednesday 3 August, 11am
As part of the Summer Reading Challenge; bring books to life in Minecraft. Help us recreate a Minecraft Willy Wonka’s Chocolate factory.
Free, just drop in!
Welcome to the Circus: Workshop for all the family
Ever fancied learning some circus tricks to show off to your friends…..well we’ve got a corker of a session for you….
St Mary’s Heritage Centre – Friday 5 August, 1pm-3pm
Become a trainee circus performer for the afternoon and try out some of the skills it takes to join the circus, including Plate spinning, Poi, Gymnastic Ribbon, Juggling, Hula Hoop, Tight Rope Walking and Beginners Stilts in this action packed session. Both children and adults will equally enjoy showing off their favourite skills at the graduation to the Big Top showcase where everyone will receive a certificate welcoming them to the circus.
This exciting and energetic workshop is suitable for anyone over 7 years, all equipment will be available.
£10 per participant
Over The Moon Glass Workshop
Wailes Room, Gateshead Central Library – Saturday 6 August, 10am-12.30pm
Join glass artist Effie Burns to make ‘space’ inspired glass pieces that are out of this world, in this family friendly workshop.
This workshop is perfect for parent and child to work together on a lovely glass project…..
Suitable for ages 7+
£10 – Please book places for both children and adults taking part.
Mad About Monkeys
Have you got a cheeky monkey at home? Well this free workshop is perfect just for them….
Gateshead Central Library – Thursday 11 August, 2pm
A monkey sculpture craft afternoon for all the family.
Free, reserve your place!
Whimsical Windchimes
Have you checked out the community garden at Gateshead Central Library; it’s always a hive of activity…..
Gateshead Central Library – Saturday 13 August, 10.30am
Join us to make your very own windchimes to hang in the garden this summer. Test them out first in our community garden!
£2/£3 per child
Creatures Up Close @ Central
Oooooh back by popular demand our beasties, creepy crawlies and unusual small animals…..book quick as this always sells out!
Gateshead Central Library – Monday 15 August, 2pm and 2.45pm
Your chance to get hands on and up close with some very unusual insects, reptiles and amphibians.
£2/£3 per child
I Dreamed A Jar
Have you seen the BFG? What would you put in your Dream Jar…… let’s find out!
Gateshead Central Library, Monday 22 August, 2pm
Staff at Central will be making their own Dream Jars so why not help them out or make one of your very own!
Free
Family Nature Doodling Workshop
The English summertime should be about getting outside and exploring…..
Meet at Thornley Woodlands Centre, off the A694 – Wednesday 24 August, 1pm – 4pm
Discover new ways of exploring our natural landscape through making temporary land art.
Treehug – Jane Gower
Join Artist Jane Gower for a leisurely walk and explore the process of making – find beautiful objects in nature; seek out enchanting spaces; collect colours; and create sculptures and 3-D collages. They may only last a day, but you can capture your art piece in a photograph before it disappears.
Ladders – Jane Gower
Please wear suitable clothing and shoes for the weather and bring a camera or phone to take photos of what you make.
£3/£5 – suitable for families
Mrs Twit’s Trick Menu
Another Summer reading challenge activity……
Gateshead Central Library – Thursday 25 August, 2pm
Mrs Twit invites you to come along and sample her special menu. Do you fancy tomato-blood soup, octopus eyeballs or spider lollipops?
Test your tastebuds and see which is the most delicious and make your own revolting recipe!
£1 per child
Manga Workshop with Paul Belcher
Back by popular demand after last summer’s session…..
St Mary’s Heritage Centre – Thursday 25 August, 1pm-3pm
Local Community Artist Paul Belcher is returning to St Mary’s for his popular manga art session.
It’s a great opportunity to learn some manga art techniques in this workshop suitable for children and adults. With Paul’s guidance you will create manga style portraits on A4 canvas using acrylics.
£5 per participant
Summer Holiday Culture Camp – Make a Play in a Day
Do you have the next aspiring Jennifer Lawrence or Leo Dicaprio in your family?
Gateshead Central Library – Thursday 1 September, 9.30am – 4.30pm
Drama Teacher, David Raynor will help you create a play in a day; you get to experiment with a variety of acting and movement techniques, script writing and set design!
£20
Sculpture Making Workshop with Neil Canavan
Join Sculpture 30’s September artist of the month to get creating and making….
The Gallery, Gateshead Central Library – Saturday 3 September, 10am-12.30pm
Create mini sculptures that will help artist Neil Canavan create a largescale sculpture called ‘Juggernaut’ inspired by the large mobile structures that were pulled along by devotees in Hindu religious processions.
Ship of Fools – Neil Canavan
The finished sculpture will feature at the 31st Gateshead Family Sculpture Day in Saltwell Park on 25 September!
Suitable for all ages and all materials provided.
Free, just drop in.
So get booking and reserving your places quick! This is just a flavour of Central Gateshead activities….there are more activities listed at www.gateshead.gov.uk/whatson at other branch library locations across Gateshead that you may want to check out!
The Culture Vulture NE 
Wow there is so much to choose from. Really good round up!
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