St Mary's C of E VA Primary School in Thornbury is thrilled to announce the inaugural Creative Arts Festival, a vibrant celebration of the arts for the local community, particularly catering to children aged 2-12 years.

The festival is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 24 2024, from 10am to 2pm, and is an initiative by the school's Parent-Teacher-Friend Association (PTFA) to highlight the richness of the local arts scene and its significance in fostering children's confidence and skills.

Event organiser Olivia Riddiford said: "We have such a fantastic local arts scene in the area which we wanted to celebrate. We also recognise that the arts support children and provide them with confidence and skills that will serve them well in later life."

The festival has been made possible through the support of Thornbury Round Table and local South Gloucestershire Councillors.

The Creative Arts Festival promises a day packed with engaging workshops and activities designed to spark creativity and joy among attendees. Highlights include performances by local groups and musicians, storytelling sessions and a book signing with internationally published children's author Helen Docherty, and an opportunity for guests to contribute to a community art piece.

Participants can also draw alongside local artist Nick Thain, explore musical instruments with Red Music, enjoy a fun trail, dive into a Matilda masterclass or street dance class with BALPA, craft their own jewellery, and play a steel drum with Panache Steel Band, among other exciting activities.

A special attraction of the festival will be the announcement of the art competition winners. The lucky winners will be awarded art suppliers vouchers presented by the Mayor of Thornbury. The competition will be judged by renowned local artists Richard Edwards and Lorna Page, with all entries displayed in a gallery in St Mary’s Church.

With a fully stocked café on-site, guests can enjoy delicious refreshments as they immerse themselves in the creative offerings of the day. Tickets for this not-to-be-missed event are selling fast and can be purchased in advance at www.pta-events.co.uk/smt-ptfa.

For further information or any queries, please contact the PTFA at smt-ptfa@sgmail.org.uk. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the arts and community spirit in Thornbury.