As part of CultureDale’s 50th anniversary they planned the ‘CultureDale Children and Families Roadshow Summer 2024’. Sand In Your Eye were thrilled to be able to get involved with our Creative Sand Sculpture Workshops.
Towards the end of August Phil Stephenson from the CultureDale team to ask if we could pe part of their ‘TINKER, MAKE, CREATE! Free Family Event’ – A Day of activities which brought together makers, artists, engineers, and crafters all with fun and engaging activities for families. We of course jumped at the opportunity!!
Creative Sand Sculpture on a Sunny Day
On Saturday 31st August at 8am, Claire and Amy from the Sand In Your Eye team, set off in the van to Eureka Children’s Science and Discovery museum, who were playing host to the event.
Eureka have huge sandpit which takes center place in their outside garden, which made preparations for the creative sand sculpture workshop really simple. With no tables or buckets of sand to unload from the van, they were able to get straight on with setting out the buckets and tools as well as a small base tent to store thir all-important suncream!
Due to the (rare) warm weather we had experience throughout the summer holiday, the sand in the sand pit was completely dry, which might seem great, but is no good for creating any sort of sand sculpture!! The first task on the agenda was to get the hose running and the sand as wet as possible before the event was due to start, and the hose would need to be put away. Alongside the damp sand we filled 9 buckets with extra water, just to make sure we could keep the sand wet enough to sculpt with for the full day.
Not Just for Children
The event started at 10am, children were giddy to engage in the creative sand sculpture workshop, some keen to learn the techniques used to create a dolphin, some eager to build an epic sandcastles, and some who were more than happy to dig holes and fill them with water, which worked perfectly for the sand In Your Eye workshop facilitators as it kept the sand wet!
Children (and quite a few of the parents) loved learning how to create such tall castles with adjoining arches and bridges, as well as sculpting details such as individual bricks and spiraling staircases! One parent even took photographs of the tools we use so that he could prepare for an epic trip to the beach when he and his family went away on their next holiday.
Doing What We Love
Its always a real joy for the Sand In Your Eye team to be involved in community events that bring creativity and art to children and families, we are especially proud when we are able to do it in our home borough on behalf of such an fantastic organization like CultureDale.
Who Are CultureDale and What Do They Say?
CultureDale is a Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council led project. It is a testament to the creativity, resilience, and passion that resides within Calderdale’s people.
Their mission is to create and promote a wide array of cultural events, exhibitions, performances, and initiatives that reflect the remarkable stories, talents, and traditions of Calderdale.
“In 2024 we are celebrating Calderdale’s 50th anniversary with a Year of Culture. We’re partnering with our borough’s incredible creatives, initiatives, and residents to bring culture and creativity into the fabric of everyone’s lives.
CYOC24 will include performances, festivals, workshops, creative and sports activities, and exhibitions. We aim to weave together inclusive, immersive, and sustainable cultural experiences while showcasing Calderdale’s extraordinary heritage, traditions, and creativity by inviting everyone to take part.
At the heart of CYOC24 lies a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that every individual can actively participate, contribute, and revel in cultural experiences. We need you to make CYOC24 an incredible year.”
