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Canopy is a newly established organisation, currently supported and hosted by West Dean Parish Council.
In 2016 Arts Council England chose the Forest of Dean as a priority area for the South West Region due to comparatively low arts engagement and investment. Like us, they want to see more cultural, creative, artistic events and opportunities in the Forest and they are willing to invest significant funds to make this happen. West Dean Parish Council, working with artists and arts organisations from across the District, have pulled together to make this ambition a reality.
As a major partner in Canopy’s establishment, West Dean Parish Council has stepped up to the mark and provided significant guidance which will continue throughout its set up, giving input into the steering group, and leading its growth and development by providing hotdesk space and a physical home to the organisation.
West Dean Parish Council led the successful bid to Arts Council England in 2018 and supported the recruitment of a Project Manager at the end of 2018.
The goal is for Canopy to engage more people in the arts, build partnerships to maximise opportunities and celebrate the culture of the Forest of Dean. The community will be at the heart of Canopy and now is a great time to get involved; tell us what you’d like to see happening in the forest, help shape the future of this exciting new initiative and dream big about what we can achieve in the years to come.
For further information or to get involved, please contact Carolyn Black, Creative Arts & Culture Project Manager for Canopy on carolyn@flowprojects.org.uk
Dates for your Diary 2022
1 Canopy is delighted to support Dorota Rapacz’s sculpture exhibition at the 7Q Gallery, Canopy has asked her to talk about her work in the gallery on Sunday 30th January at 12 noon. Please just turn up if you’d like to attend!
7Q Gallery, The Back, Chepstow NP16 5FG
2 The next exhibition is farOpen Textiles 17thFeb – 6th March,
Meet the artists event on Saturday 19th Feb at 12noon supported by Canopy
Artists: Eileen Waycott, Chris Waygood, Jen Johnson, Novvy Allan and Sara Rickard
7Q Gallery, The Back, Chepstow NP16 5FG
3 Are you interested in Creative Walks? if so look at the web-site canopynetwork.co.uk for dates or contact Sara directly on her email sarajrickard@gmail.com There is one on Sunday Feb 6th 11.00am from Parkend Railway station.
On Sunday 13th March from Soudley Dean Heritage Museum Café at 11.00am Walk followed by Canopy Spring Picnic in the meeting room next door to the café. Check web-site for details
4 The Methodist Church in Cinderford is being developed by the town council as an Arts Centre for the FoD. Canopy has been invited to launch the opening of the church with an Arts Festival. If you would like to know more there is an Open Meeting for artists and arts organisations on Friday 4th February 5.00- 7.00pm at the Belle View Centre in the Council Chambers. If you wish to attend check out the web-site canopynetwork.co.uk let other creative people in the forest know. If you want to know more but cannot attend please email Sara directly on her email sarajrickard@gmail.com.
5 Have your say re the Development of Five Acres! Complete and respond to the proposals on the Canopy website – canopynetwork.co.uk It is supposed to be a centre for Leisure and Culture but as you may see there is little in the way of ‘Culture’ . Don’t delay on this!
Get Involved! – Canopy Creative Network Events
Canopy Creative Network is holding a number of events throughout the Forest of Dean in
2021, promoting community wellbeing through collaborative creativity.
We are looking for expressions of interest from Forest of Dean based arts organisations,
creative practitioners, caterers, schools, community groups, sponsors and volunteers.
Arts Jab
On 2
nd October Canopy is planning an arts showcase festival at the West Dean Centre,
Bream, funded by the West Dean Parish Council and Arts Council England.
Creative organisations within the Forest of Dean will join together for this combined arts
event, taking part in the nationwide Fun Palaces weekend.
For nearly 18 months many people have been suffering in various ways from the impacts of
Covid. The value and effect that the arts can have on how people feel about life is
considerable.
This festival will bring local communities together and lift spirits, as well as celebrating the
diverse and wonderful creative talent available right on our doorstep. The range of
opportunities provided will encourage young and old, families, the vulnerable, elderly and
socially isolated to get involved.
The Arts Jab programme includes
● A parade along the central high street involving musicians, members of the
silver bands, dancers, performers and banners.
● Performers representing their organisation in dance, music, theatre, poetry,
film and literature.
● Stalls and practical workshops by a variety of creatives.
● Local schools invited to participate in the celebrations.
Canopy will use this event as a model for further events in towns throughout the Forest of
Dean – Coleford, Newent, Cinderford and more – over the next 12 – 24 months.
Creative Walks
Canopy is also preparing Creative Walks for Sunday 1
st August and Sunday 22
nd August.
The aim is to provide an experience, nurturing connections and promoting mental wellbeing
through a combination of time outdoors, gentle exercise and social interaction. The routes
are relatively short, the emphasis being on the journey taken rather than the destination.
Each route is guided by a local creative, the groups are kept small on each walk to maintain
close interaction with all the participants.
More Information
For further information please visit:
https://canopynetwork.co.uk/
and
https://funpalaces.co.uk/fun-palace/arts-jab-fun-palace/
Call for Participants
Forest of Dean arts organisations, creative practitioners, caterers, sponsors and volunteers
We need you now!
If you would like to be involved please email Rob at fodcreativecanopy@gmail.com
