Big Art, Tall Stories and Big Tall Ships

Young people across the UK are using Sail Training International’s Falmouth to Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta (28 August – 9 September) to get creative.

As a build up to the event in Falmouth, artist in residence for the Regatta, John Dyer, has unveiled his fireworks and fiesta painting, based on memories of the last Falmouth Tall Ships Festival in 2008. 

Now  – with the help of story-tellers, performers, a playwright and a hip-hop poet – youngsters are being asked to paint or tell their own salty tales as part of The BIG Art & Storytelling Tall Ships Project.

More than 40 international vessels, along with an anticipated 100,000 visitors, will converge on Falmouth from 28 August for four days of celebrations before the start of the race. The Race, organised by Sail Training International, takes the vessels along the south coast via the Isle of Wight and on to the Thames, with further celebrations at Royal Greenwich, 5-9 September.

John Dyer’ painting reflects the excitement and atmosphere of the Regatta, with entertainment and activities throughout the whole town. 

Young people rolled up sleeves at Falmouth Art Gallery, where ten year old Charlotte Taylor from Constantine School declared, äóìEveryone’ having a party in John’ painting, the Tall Ships are all lit up at night and the fireworks are like big splashes across the sky. It’ the fireworks that are in my painting – but my story’ going to be about a cat that gets lost.äó

John and the creative team are working closely with Festival organisers led by Visit Cornwall and Royal Greenwich – and with Dea Birkett, of the national initiative ‘Kids in Museums’, who is helping to roll out the Big Art and Storytelling Tall Ships Project across the country. Dea describes John’ painting and the project as, äóìäó_entirely entrancing, engrossing. It opens up new worlds.äó

äóìThis whole project is a huge creative stimulus for children,äó says artistic practitioner John Frankland. äóìThe writers have all seen the painting in advance – James Graham, the National Theatre playwright, has written the first scene of a play for children to finish; Maxwell Golden has written a hip hop poemäó_it’ all about firing young imaginations to express themselves in pictures and words.äó

The project is gathering momentum and endorsements from across the UK: Philip Mould OBE, art expert on the BBC’ äóìFake or Fortuneäó says, äóìThe BIG Art & Storytelling Tall Ships Project is charismatic. John Dyer’ new Tall Ships painting, combined with professional storytelling, creates an irresistible hub for creativity to flourish.äó

äóìYou quite often hear of a work of literature inspiring a piece of art but not so often the other way around,äó says John Dyer. äóìI believe everybody is born highly creative and artistic – it’ what helps us develop and learn – and it’ a real privilege to be encouraging artistic talents, working with children across the country in this special and magical event.äó

Watch a short film describing the project.

For all essential information about the Regatta in Falmouth here.

Join the Facebook page Tall Ships Falmouth 2014

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