Doncaster families join world's largest drawing festival in getting creative for 'The Big Draw'

The workshops, which took place at The Point on South Parade recently, encouraged families to create their very own automatas - quirky sculptures made from wire and laser cut plywood.

These welcoming and inclusive workshops, which included activities specifically designed for disabled children and their families, were inspired by the larger-than-life automata in The Point’s ‘Human Machines’ exhibition.

The exhibition, entitled Human Machines, features sculptures by artist duo Johnny White and Amanda Wray, and is inspired by the common experiences, feelings and pivotal moments in life which affect us all.

The humorous and interactive exhibition of kinetic sculptures opened at The Point in Doncaster earlier this month. Supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England, the exhibition was created using recycled materials and salvaged objects. It will run at The Point until November 30.

Assistant director at darts – Doncaster Community Arts – Helen Jones said: “Families had great fun unleashing their creative side at our half term workshops.

“We hope families have been inspired by The 2019 Big Draw Festival and its many hands-on activities.”

The Big Draw Festival is the world’s largest drawing festival from The Campaign for Drawing, with this year’s #DrawnToLife theme focusing on the vital role of creativity for health and wellbeing.

The Big Draw director, Kate Mason, said: “This year ‘Drawn to Life: creativity and wellbeing’ we want to encourage events and conversations around the role of mark making and drawing – in its widest possible interpretation, as a life-enhancing tool not only to help express and navigate the challenges of life around us but also as a tool for healing.”

The Point hosts a wide range of family-friendly activities throughout the year. Visit www.thepoint.org.uk/whats-on for details.