Creative Burngreave launch
by Rob Smith

Held inside the newly-furbished Spectrum Centre, Brunswick Road, Creative Burngreave launched an initiative to develop arts and creativity. This event was smaller than expected but saw the centre come to life with stalls and circus performers.

Cassie Limb and Mandy Burton created a community mixed-media suncatcher with children and local people. They painted squares decorated with gold, silver and glitter shapes. “Finally laminated and complete, the suncatcher will be displayed in Sorby House.” explained Mandy.

“I spent eight years in Ireland making instruments and returned to Burngreave because the Thatcher years ruined my business. Back here, I began to restart.”

Brian Howard, who sells and makes musical instruments, had many on display. Brian makes drums, Irish bagpipes and flutes that are being exported around the world. “I’m off to Australia next year to lecture on how to create reeds for bagpipes, reeds are the heart of this instrument,” he added. “I’ve been in Burngreave fifteen years and seen things start and fizzle out, let’s hope this one can keep going.”

Alongside the stall Crafty Things, Aye ’n’ I Photography and Green City Action’s Stables Project, music was supplied by DJs Notty and Eze. As the children holding helium-filled balloons and the fifty or so adults present began to eat and complete the vegetable curry and rice, the Lord Mayor made a timely arrival.

“I am very pleased to launch a Burngreave project that will support all local artists in professional development, opening access to training and employment and creating more opportunity,” said the Lord Mayor. Project Manager, Jenneffer Dennis added, “I think we’ve managed to reach our target audience and raise the profile of Creative Burngreave.”

Community dietitian Vanessa Maynard explained she works to raise awareness of healthy diets. “This is something that affects everyone in society,” added Vanessa, so I didn’t take it personally.

Red Tape Studio’s Frank Wilkes explained “We’re here to make people more aware that the studio exists. We are based in the city centre, but serve the wider multicultural community.”

Ophelia Clark representing the NDC engagement team displayed a table of literature on just about everything for the community. “Creative Burngreave is well overdue and applying more artistic skills for this community is a good thing.”

Creative Burngreave can be contacted through their Arts Administrator, Alka Prabhakar on 221 1891.