'It's always been about more than painting', says Create Longridge organisers

Longridge's textile enthusiasts are coming together as part of the town's premier  painting competition, Create Longridge.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th May 2018, 14:13 BST
Updated 10th May 2018, 16:56 BST
A previous fringe event held under the Create Longridge banner.A previous fringe event held under the Create Longridge banner.
A previous fringe event held under the Create Longridge banner.

The art contest, now in its third year, has “always been about much more than the painting competition”, so say event organisers, with a lively programme of activities for people to get involved with around the main competition.

A large scale collaborative piece is being led by Cath Reid from arts and crafts shop Oh Sew Crafty in Berry Lane.

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Cath said: “Create Longridge is a day when the whole town comes together and gets creative. We have so many people who love working with textiles it’s great to bring this art form to the event.

Les Darlow from Blackpool draws Jeffrey Hill at the 'Create Longridge' art festival last year.Les Darlow from Blackpool draws Jeffrey Hill at the 'Create Longridge' art festival last year.
Les Darlow from Blackpool draws Jeffrey Hill at the 'Create Longridge' art festival last year.

“We have children and adults working alongside each other and having fun. Over the coming weeks we’ll be deciding on our subject for this year.”

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Spokesman for Create Longridge and owner of Longridge Gallery, Alistair Sheret, said: “Last year we had a number of approaches to include the written word in Create Longridge.

“Our approach to the event has always been to include as many people as possible in creative pursuits.

One of last year's fringe eventsOne of last year's fringe events
One of last year's fringe events
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“Literature really helps us achieve our goal and potentially brings more people to the town.”

Cath added: “When people have had enough of being involved with their activities they can go out and look at all the art on show.”

Longridge teacher Laura Dent is leading an ‘Urban Art’ workshop aimed at 10 to 14-year-olds.

“Whenever I have worked with children on this activity they have been hugely excited. I’m sure at Create Longridge we’ll be able to do something really great,” said Laura.

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The main part of Create Longridge bids artists against each other to create original artwork on the same day – Saturday, July 14 – within a three-mile radius of the town centre.

Children’s art classes will come to St Wilfrid’s Primary School for a second time after being fully subscribed last year.

Newly formed charity, the Longridge Community Arts, is also set be involved in the event for the first time, and is keen to get its own members to have ownership of projects made for the event.

Further details are expected “over the coming weeks”.

Related topics:longridgeSpokesman