Supported by cartoonists, artists, illustrators and designers, the day was an opportunity to participate in a range of drawing, cartooning and craft activities and workshops.
Over 260 people took part in a range of activities and talks which included Drawing music, Geometric art, Release your inner cartoonist, Birds of a feather quilt, Become a fake news detective, Creating cartoon strips, Message in a bottle, Scaryzine foldy books, Mono printing, Fiendish friends, Collage Like and artist, Folk tales in many languages, Sunshine masks, Life signs, Painting characters, Alien invasion, Olympic art and using light boxes to create cartoons and caricatures
Artists and illustrators involved included Harry Venning, Kipper Williams, Andrew Logan Rebecca Ashdown, Michael Challenger, Caroline Holden, Marie-Helene Jeeves, Sally Kindberg, Alexandra Leadbeater, Bridget Marzo, Jane German, David Page, Lawrence Zeegen, Mary Pullen Deacon, Angie Pitt Judith Walker, Kevin Whitney, Katy Stoddard, Mena Sultan and Guardian Education Centre, NewsWise, Archive and Foundation staff.
Two musicians from the Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment, Katherine Spencer and Joanna Lawrence, played fantastic music throughout the day and families took part in a range of drawing music activities with Andrew Thomson, OAE Education Officer.
Feedback from families who attended
Children
It was my favourite day out ever and I wish I could come everyday. I love arts and crafts and there was so many here. I wanted to do all of the crafts! The people doing it were also very friendly.
I liked all of the crafts especially the sea one with the pen that brushes water and the collage one because I made an eye collage. I also liked the fake and for real, it was very funny. This was very good thank you.
I enjoyed all of it! Just so fun.
I found this amazing! All the activities were really fun and the people were nice. I loved it!
I enjoyed making collages the most. It was really fun and I liked making funny faces with what I cut out.
I liked that Kipper Williams inspired me to draw cartoons. I think I will like being a cartoonist.
I enjoyed the Guardian news where we made 3D news.
I liked all the activities and making masks.
I really enjoyed doing the light box tracing because it was really fun and I liked doing the cartoon strips.
Great fun! Very therapeutic, the closer and closer I get to my A Levels!
I really enjoyed doing the tracing and the comedy drawings.
I liked the collages the best since you could make some really silly things
I really enjoyed the mask making and doing different creative ideas.
I liked drawing with the music. I liked making a picture with cutting and sticking and that my picture went up on the wall when I finished.
I like all the activities and all the staff were really nice. It went so fast!
My favourite was true or false because you got to make signs!
I liked the spooky hotel.
Adults
The event was very inclusive of all ages. I came with my family of 6, age ranges from 2 to 56 and we all had fun.
A great, fun interactive session. We will look out for similar sessions in the future. This has inspired my son who has Asperger’s Syndrome and loves cartoons. It was good for us to feel included as we sometimes struggle to access extra curricular activities.
I am an art teacher in FE and I get sent (forced) on all kinds of government initiated training programmes but I picked up more teaching tips, ideas and creativity here in a single session. What happens at this event should be regarded as ‘core’ subject in education!
This was amazing. Thank you. So much to do … we did sessions with Rebecca, Alex and the music - all great!
Today was so lovely! Very well organised and lots of fun. The children had a great time being creative! Thank you.
The OAE musicians playing the children’s compositions was absolutely mind blowing and inspiring for the kids. Thank you! What an experience.
Today was so much fun for both adults and kids. I loved painting, fake news quiz and making masks. Everyone working at the event were very encouraging to the kids. What a great day.
Fantastic afternoon! Fun, creative day, looking forward to next year’s. Thank you.
Great afternoon, loved the choice of activities, the Guardian alien feature, birds and message in a bottle were particular highlights.
Very enlightened, very cosy and inspirational, very warm and funny.
All party enjoyed the collaging. Enjoyed Alex’s sea-themed artwork. Fascinating workshop with Harry Venning although I’m still not convinced I have any skills in this area. Two hours always seems to fly past.
Every activity was wonderful. All I can say to improve it is to run for longer! Also definitely keep Mike Challenger.
The cartooning workshop was great! My daughter really liked the mono printing. And the geometric art was interesting too.
This was a fantastic day!
