In collaboration with Blackburn Central Library, the National Festival of Making and Let’s Make Art have curated a collection of activities, all presented in a beautifully handmade wooden cart created by Stilings Workshop.
Activities have been inspired by Blackburn’s high street and the library’s commitment to the National Summer Reading Challenge.
Download the activity sheets here, or Top Tip: Head to the library where you’ll find the materials you need too.
Blackburn Heritage High Street Collage
Imagine Blackburn’s high street, can you spot Tony’s Ballroom? Look for the fancy arched windows filled with circles and rectangles! King George’s Hall, The Exchange, the Town Hall, and Blackburn Museum & Art Gallery are all just around the corner. Thinking of these buildings, what shapes come to mind? Squares, circles, triangles? Maybe something unexpected?
Can you create your own high street inspired by these buildings?
Make a Story Book!
This activity is designed to help you create your own book and invent imaginative stories and tales.
It includes simple, step-by-step tips for making a book from a single sheet of A4 paper, along with story prompts and helpful guides to spark your creativity.
Design a Window Display
Did you know that Blackburn Library wasn’t always a library?
A long time ago, this building was a Co-operative store! People came here to buy food, clothes, and household goods. The front of the building had big windows that showed off exciting displays to make customers want to come inside.
Your challenge is to design your own window display for your shop! To give you some inspiration, we’ve included real images from the window display competitions that used to take place here. Have a look at how neat, creative and eye-catching they were!
About Let’s Make Art
Alice and Karen founded Let’s Make Art, an independent arts organisation, in 2012. They run high-quality, unique art activities, events and workshops to ensure people of all ages and abilities experience many art techniques in a fun and imaginative way.
Karen and Alice are currently Artists in Residence at the Arnolfini, Bristol’s International Centre for Contemporary Arts. Their first art book for children was published in 2022.
Photography by: Taylor Heery and Let’s Make Art
Images © copyright Blackburn with Darwen Library & Information Service.