Artists, volunteers and school groups have stepped forward to help work on Bahrain’s inaugural participation in The Big Draw Festival – the world’s biggest celebration of drawing.
The aim is to create a hands-on art activity in the form of a large walkway made out of pottery, a series of tactile finger pathways with pasta, shells and fabric, and individual labyrinth pathways on paper.
The event at The Bay Gate at The Avenues, Bahrain, is being organised by Baloo’s Buddies, a programme using pet dogs to enhance play and life skills of children with special needs, based at the RIA Institute, Adliya. Coordinator Sarah Clarke, said: “As part of celebrating 20 years of RIA we have a magnificent painted pottery pathway in the making.
“More than 1,000 pieces and counting of pottery are being painted in schools, nurseries, companies, art groups and homes across Bahrain. How fabulous is that!”
“We are delighted to be taking part in this fabulous initiative to encourage people to draw for the benefit of their mental health. This free event is designed to highlight the link between creativity and well-being.
“All aspiring artists, disastrous drawers, doodling dreamers and everyone-else is invited to become a part of the world’s biggest drawing festival.
“A labyrinth is a single pathway with the same entrance and exit. It is not a maze or puzzle to be solved but a place for reflection and calm.
“Labyrinths come in all shapes and sizes, permanent structures or lines made in the sand or ones you can trace with your finger, eyes or pencil. They can be made from all sorts of materials.
“We hope families will join us for The Big Draw Bahrain and help us to design, draw and build a series of pathways. All are invited to explore their creative side at Pathways to Wellbeing through the Art of Labyrinths. This event is suitable for children and adults of all abilities.”
The plan is to create
A large accessible walking path made out of pottery.
A series of tactile finger pathways.
Your own labyrinth pathway on paper with crayons, pencils and pens.
Dr Clarke said Delmon Pottery had donated all the pottery pieces for the activity.
Founded in 2000, The Big Draw is a UK-based arts education charity that promotes visual literacy and the universal language of drawing as a tool for learning, expression and invention.
The charity leads a diversified programme encompassing advocacy, empowerment and engagement, and is the driving force behind The Big Draw Festival now attracting the involvement of more than 25 countries, hosting 1,000-plus activities involving half a million people.
Working with cultural and educational organisations, policymakers and businesses The Big Draw aims to demonstrate the social, economic and health benefits that drawing can bring and provides opportunities for everyone to access them.
To participate in Bahrain visit Gate 3 – The Bay Gate at The Avenues, Bahrain, from 10am to 8pm, on October 24-26.
· For more information and to volunteer at the event or help with preparations, contact Mrs Clarke on 38338064. Find out more about The 2019 Big Draw Festival at www.thebigdraw.org and search for Pathways under the Find an Event section for updates about The Big Draw Bahrain!
