Unconventional celebration of arts and creativity coming to Sutton on Sea with new 'Unschooled' Festival

Sutton on Sea will be host to a spark of unconventional arts and creativity this half term, with the launch of a brand-new free festival, 'Unschooled,' on Wednesday 28 May.

The event, organised as part of Story Tellers, the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership's Arts Council England NPO project, will run from 10am to 4pm at the Meridale Youth and Community Centre.

The Centre will transform into a hub of unique creativity, offering a diverse range of engaging activities for all ages and featuring a live soundtrack provided by Mothership, a dynamic female DJ duo, who will not only be performing but also hosting workshops across the day inviting attendees to explore the world of DJing.

Arts organisation MBD will also be in attendance with their graffiti-themed VR experience, offering an immersive way to engage with street art. For a more hands-on artistic adventure, Lincoln Museum NPO will be hosting a unique Lego block painting session to encourage creative expression.

In the lead-up to the festival creative studio iMAGESKOOL has been collaborating with the local community, holding design workshops with Sutton on Sea Community Primary School, the Art Group Meridale, and Kidz Club. The imaginative outcomes of these sessions will contribute to a large-scale mural design that will adorn the wall in the Meridale Youth and Community Centre's carpark.

This collaborative artwork will celebrate the rich history, ongoing importance, and vital role of the centre within Sutton on Sea's past and present. The whole community is invited to be a part of the mural's creation throughout the event, and welcomes participants of all ages to contribute to this lasting piece of art. Please note that all children 13 years and under should be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Cllr Graham Marsh, East Lindsey District Council's representative on the Story Tellers Culture Board said: "We are delighted that this new event will bring a variety of vibrant and inclusive arts opportunities to Sutton on Sea, whilst creating a lasting impact through the collaborative mural project to celebrate the area's unique identity.

"Initiatives like this are vital for bringing our communities together, encouraging creativity and connection across generations, and providing new opportunities to explore artforms and activities that may not otherwise have been readily available to our residents and young people. It should be a fantastic day and I hope lots of people will join us to take part."

This event is part of the Partnership's Story Tellers NPO project through funding from Arts Council England, which looks to support arts, culture, heritage and creativity across the whole of South and East Lincolnshire, providing meaningful opportunity and programming for residents, developing the sector and helping to build the local arts, culture and heritage offer. You can find out more about Story Tellers at www.story-tellers.co.uk.