Keighley Creative is pleased to announce that we will be running free family-friendly craft workshops in the town centre on Saturdays from 26th April through May.
As part of our latest project, we have organised workshops at key locations in town over the next four weekends. The workshops will provide local people, with a chance to be creative and to get involved in Rombald’s Rocks: Keighley Sculpture Trail, which has been created by local artist, Leonie Briggs, and is being supported by the Bradford 2025 Creative Communities Fund and Keighley BID.
The theme is “Rombald’s Rocks” as attendees of the workshops will be given opportunities to make rock-themed artworks inspired by a local legend as Cat Murray, Events Manager from Keighley Creative explained:
“Many people might not know who Rombald is, but I bet you know the big statue that sits in the Airedale Shopping Centre?! The workshops and the following sculpture trail aim to carry on the story of Rombald the Giant and his wife who smashed stones on Ilkley Moor and created the Cow and Calf. What if the other bits of rock sprouted arms and legs and ended up in Keighley? What adventures might they have had?! We’d love Keighley people to come together to create works of art that tell their stories.”
The workshops are designed to be accessible and inclusive and all ages and abilities can be catered for. They will be held on Saturdays between 10:30am and 3pm and will be facilitated by artists and creatives, Amy Hall and Jane Sedgwick.
Cat continued:
“The workshops will offer different crafting experiences so participants can experiment using different media such as clay and paint to make their own unique Rombald’s Rocks themed artworks. We want anyone to be able to come along so there is no charge, no tickets required and no need to book. We want as many local people as possible to feel included; the trail is not just for artists, it’s for everyone to get involved in.”
The workshops dates will be:
- 26th April at the Airedale Shopping Centre
- 3rd May at Keighley Market
- 10th May at the Airedale Shopping Centre
- 17th May at Keighley Market
Following the workshops, attendees can choose to include their creations in pop-up exhibitions as part of the Keighley Sculpture Trail. These exhibitions will sit alongside sculptures situated around the town centre, which will have been made by Leonie Briggs and decorated by local artists and community groups.
The Keighley Sculpture Trail will launch on Saturday 24th May 2025. This weekend will see the unveiling of the Rombald’s Rocks sculptures alongside lots more free and fun activities for local people, including workshops, storytelling and music. Keighley Creative, Leonie and the team welcome everyone to get involved. We are also looking for volunteers to support this event.
More information on the workshops, volunteering and the Keighley Sculpture Trail can be found on this website, by emailing admin@keighleycreative.org, and by following @keighleycreative on social media.
GiveBradford is an independent grant maker and is the place for giving in Bradford and they’re building a movement. Working collaboratively with leaders, community organisations and donors, they’re strengthening the future of local communities, building a fairer Bradford for everyone.
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Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture (Bradford 2025) runs from January 2025 to December 2025 and is a celebration of Bradford city and district, taking place across its city, towns, villages and greenspaces. It will showcase the rich history of the area and spotlight its dynamic contemporary culture in all forms; dance and theatre, music and film, visual arts and crafts, food and sport. The City of Culture designation has already brought significant investment to the region and been a catalyst for development. It is set to have a lifelong impact through its reshaping of the local curriculum, skills and training programmes, investment in existing and new creative spaces, and open up opportunities for cultural participation.
Keighley Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership in which businesses within a defined area of the town pay a levy to fund improvements in that area, for example improving security or cleaning.
Keighley Towns Fund has been allocated £20m funding over the next 10 years. The investment is overseen by the Towns Fund Board which is made up of representatives from Keighley. The long-term plan for the Towns Fund is to improve aspects such as security and aid regeneration of the high street.
