Doncaster artist opens outside space for creatives to help them through the pandemic

Warren Draper has run Bentley Urban Farm for years but during the pandemic, he decided that the outdoor space could be very valuable to the creative community in Doncaster.

With funding from the Birdsong Project, he has started ‘Unbound Arts’ at the farm with the intention of giving artists a place to create and share ideas.

He said: “The arts have been decimated by the Covid-19 crisis.

“Many of us are self-employed creatives who could not work and have been unable to practice that which is both our passion and our livelihood.

“Unbound Arts will create a safe, open-air space at the heart of the award-winning Bentley Urban Farm project, where artists can come together in a socially distanced environment.”

Warren is not asking for fiscal payment to use the space as he knows that many artists have not been able to work since March.

So instead, he is asking for people to help look after the farm by doing a little weeding or cleaning up.

“We have a small stage for theatre and areas for painters,” Warren said.

“The space is adaptable and we are welcoming any creative no matter what genre you work in.”

So far the farm has been used to host a storytelling event, a progressive picnic and they are arranging a jamming session in the upcoming month.

When the weather gets colder and darker Warren has plans to install a parachute so that the farm is usable throughout the Winter months for artists.

Warren said: “For me, my work dried up almost as soon as Covid-19 hit.

“I had no support from the government until June, it was a crazy situation to be in.”

Warren hoped that the Unbound Project will give artists a space to work through mental health issues which have risen due to the pandemic.

Warren wants to invite any artists, musicians, creatives, or community groups in Doncaster to get in touch if they want to use the farm.

His number is 07846439982.

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