What’s on

The Wight Strollers are back at Medina Theatre this July, and ready to transport you back to 1960s New York with the tale of Charity Hope Valentine... Sweet Charity is a funny, feel-good musical, packed with well-known songs like ‘Big Spender’, ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’ and ‘Rhythm Of Life’. With the team that brought you Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Priscilla: Queen of the Desert at the helm, a live 9-piece band, colourful costumes and striking set, and an exceptional cast, Sweet Charity promises to be uplifting and unforgettable. The show runs from July 12th – 14th, tickets are £18 for adults, £14 for Under-16s, and there is an excellent group rate of £14 per ticket for groups of 10+ people. Tickets are available from www.medinatheatre.co.uk, by phoning 01983 823884, or in person from Medina’s 1Leisure Reception or the Medina Theatre Box Office. Best of all, the proceeds are going to Island charities and good causes, and for this show the Strollers are delighted to announce that one of the beneficiaries will be Independent Arts! The Wight Strollers are renowned for their pantomimes, musicals, carnival appearances and charity donations, having given away £200,000 – including fourteen Public Access Defibrillators – over the last 44 years. So gather your friends and families, and help raise money for Island charities with Sweet Charity!

A new exhibition and incredible window displays are about to emerge at Independent Arts Creative Hub at 48 High Street, Newport. The arts for wellbeing charity are well known for their creative displays at the former retail unit, which showcase the outcomes of their projects for the public to see. Conveniently placed on the high street, many passers-by comment on how the windows cheer them up daily. The impact for those who help to make the art works is even greater. Some of the most vulnerable in our community rely on the various creative sessions delivered at the Creative Hub, to socialise, to try something new and to get support for a range of issues. “Themes of growth and regeneration are central to our work in the field of wellbeing, and our belief in promoting the value of self-care throughout the year. Spring can be time for optimism, hope and rebirth, as the natural world around us bursts with new life.” Says Kerry Tindall, Head of Arts at the charity. Participants have explored these themes and ideas through the mediums of painting, collage, sculpture and weaving, creating some beautiful contributions to this exhibition. Creative staff, volunteers and year 6 pupils from Barton Primary School in Newport have also contributed creative responses to celebrate the season of Spring. Participants involved in making the displays include older people through Monday’s Creative Café, adults attending Wellbeing Café on Thursdays, children and adults who attend Tuesdays intergenerational Make and Create sessions, plus pupils from Barton Primary School. The exhibition has been supported and curated with the help of artist volunteer - Melissa Penn, Creative Assistant, Evie Clarke and Principal Projects Artist, Joanne Rigby. This Easter school holidays, Independent Arts are able to offer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) funded places for young people aged 11-16 years, who are eligible for free school meals. The 4-hour sessions are free and will involve a range of exciting creative activities linked to nature and include a healthy lunch and snacks. Places are limited and filling fast, so if you’d like to book a place on from April 2nd to 12th do call 01983 822437 or email [email protected] After school activities aimed at secondary school pupils/college students who’d welcome support for their mental health and wellbeing whilst learning new skills also have places available on Thursdays – with a wide range of artists leading the sessions. Called ArtsLab, enquiries again to [email protected].

Creative Health charity Independent Arts is celebrating age this Autumn with a special mixed media art exhibition created by residents from 13 care homes across the Island during the past year. On display are works inspired by Monet’s ‘Waterlilies’, Matisse, painted seascapes, a sensory garden, along with modern sculpture, photographs, textiles, ceramics, and mosaics. The unique exhibition was curated by the charity’s team Nicola Ward, Kerry Tindall and Jo Rigby to showcase the amazing talent of both residents and the dedication of professional arts practitioners who supported them, Kirstie Hayler, Lou Elliott, Miranda Amapola and Davina Smith. “Last time we displayed art created by care home residents everyone was hugely inspired and this time our elders have done it again!” says chief executive Lisa Gagliani. “It’s simply amazing how taking part in some form of creative activity can unlock hidden talent - along with happy memories. We can all learn something from this this poignant reflection of creative ageing.” Independent Arts delivers music and crafts to more than 30 care homes across the Isle of Wight. Called ‘Workshops for Wellbeing’ these paid-for workshops are more than simply entertaining activities for elderly residents, with a focus on wellbeing and reminiscence of happy memories. In the past year alone 10,600 care home residents enjoyed one or more activities delivered by Independent Arts through their 20 highly skilled and vetted professional arts practitioners. The Island-only charity also offers bespoke one to one art workshops to residents who are elderly, have dementia or to adults with learning difficulties. Anyone can visit the Exhibition, which is open Monday to Friday 10am-4.30pm and on Saturdays 12-2pm at Independent Arts Creative Hub, 48/49 High Street, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1SE. Entrance is free, but donations are very much appreciated by cash, debit card or monthly standing order. For more information about the services Independent Arts provides to Island care homes, visit www.independentarts.org.uk/join-in/for-carehomes/

Lake Coffee House Fundraising Quiz: 5th August – Lake Coffee House kindly hosting a Saturday evening quiz to raise funds for Independent Arts. Please contact the venue directly for details and to book a team. 01983 211151

Independent Arts are delighted to once again be the associated charity of Wight Proms festival, taking place at Northwood House. We will be on site every day with merchandise, creative activities, and raffles. For more information and tickets please visit www.wightproms.co.uk 

Ventnor Fringe: 21st – 30th July: Art in the park! – Join Independent Arts in the park at Ventnor Fringe to sketch and draw our brand new installation from all angles! Discover the hidden themes of the installation, explore the work, and sketch-what-you-see to add to our live exhibition throughout the festival. All materials provided for donation to Independent Arts. Suitable for all ages from 4 – 104. For more info visit ventnor fringe website.

9th August - 30th September Finding the art in science with island schools.

July 5th - August 6th Join us for an interactive and immersive experience as we share our explorations of mindfulness and creativity. This multimedia exhibition will share works created through a diverse range of processes, from sculpture to film.

Place-changing artwork created and directed by young people

CPD for Isle of Wight mental health workers, youth professionals, teachers and school-based support workers

Friday 3rd February. Screenings at 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm. Book your tickets now to see this thought-provoking film from the Sandown and Lake Youth Forum

A day exploring Ryde through creativity and public art

Starts Wednesday 18th January Newport's heritage revealed through cyanotypes

Friday 10th February Doors open 7.15pm

Learn about evidence-based practice that promotes good mental health and wellbeing for children and young people.

Independent Arts will once again be taking part in #TheBigGive this year! A weeklong fundraising challenge, beginning on Tuesday 29th November, during which everything you donate will be matched and doubled!

Learn new skills and create something beautiful for Christmas. Friday 25th November, 3.30pm-5pm at our Creative Hub in Newport. £30 per person.

Learn new skills and create something beautiful for Christmas. Friday 18th November, 3.30pm-5pm at our Creative Hub in Newport. £30 per person.

Learn new skills and create something beautiful for Christmas. Friday 11th November, 3.30pm-5pm at our Creative Hub in Newport. £30 per person.

Take some time for yourself with this introductory course to pencil drawing. Tuesdays 8th November -13th December, 6-7.30pm at our Creative Hub in Newport. £110 for six weeks.

A fun day of creativity and activism for all ages!

 This is our big thank you to our amazing arts practitioners, at The Creative Hub

Bringing our SingAbout groups together for an afternoon of song and joy

Join us at our Creative Hub this month for two free Christmas workshops on Thursday 22 (1.30-3pm) and Friday 30 September (7-8.30pm).

30th November - 14th January | FREE

3rd & 4th September | FREE

3rd October – 26th November | FREE

3rd August – 1st October | FREE

16th – 21st August | £35

Saturday 13th August | FREE

22 June – 31 July | FREE

22nd – 31st July | FREE