Brecon Arts Festival hits town for half term

For release 20th October 2011

The whole family is welcome at Brecon Arts Week – supported by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Collabor8 project which is part-funded by the INTERREG IVB NWE programme. There are a huge variety of workshops, exhibitions and fun throughout the week, all within Brecon town centre and aimed at all ages.  

Workshops on offer include stained glass making, paper mosaic pictures, percussion, mask making, life drawing, poetry and cartoons.  There will also be loads of demonstrations, exhibitions and open studios to visit, plus you can take part in a photomarathon throughout the town on the opening Saturday.

Artbeat Brecon are proud to be presenting the Vagabondi Puppet Theatre staging A Pirate’s Life For Me, a puppet-making workshop with treasure hunt extraordinaire followed by a puppet show about all things pirate a huge attraction for children.

Alongside all the interactive events the town’s traders have joined in to display artwork in their windows as part of the festival, and there will also be fun in the evenings with two nights of poetry and limericks, and a special music night at the Boar’s Head, located on Ship Street in Brecon.

The Artbeat Trail, in existence for over 6 years, last year threw open the opportunity to become Associate Members for individuals or organisations with an interest in exhibiting or staging an event, workshop or demonstration in Brecon town centre during the Arts events.

Julia Blazer from Oh!, was contracted by Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority as this year’s festival co-ordinator. She believes that there is a wave of enthusiasm this year to lay the foundations of what could be an annual event, plus there are workshops that have been held in local schools, which will culminate in exhibitions during the week. 

Nick Stewart, Sustainable Tourism Officer for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said; “We are pleased to be working with and supporting Artbeat to put on the second Brecon Arts Festival. This is what Collabor8 is all about; people working together to deliver great visitor experiences that contribute to thriving destinations. Brecon Arts Festival 2011 helps those involved in the arts in whatever form tap into the growing market of visitors wanting to take part in enjoyable, creative experiences while on holiday”.

Mrs Julie James, Chairman for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said:  “Brecon Arts Festival is the culmination of a partnership between the National Park Authority and Artbeat Brecon.  As part of our drive to become a more enabling and community focused organisation, we’re really proud that such an exciting event is the outcome of all this hard work and we hope everyone enjoys what’s on offer during this special week of arts.”
 
For all the event and exhibition listings, please pick up a free guide from around town (or from Oh!, 7 The Struet) or visit www.artbeatbrecon.co.uk/breconartsweek  for a downloadable copy.  Anyone enquiring about festival events or interested in joining Artbeat Brecon can contact the Event Co-ordinator, Julia Blazer on 01874 620640, sales@sooh.co.uk or just drop in at Oh!, 7 The Struet, Brecon.  For more information about Collabor8 contact Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Collabor8 Officer Nick Stewart on 01874 620490 or nick.stewart@breconbeacons.org