In October, Crawley held another successful campaign for drawing. The Big Draw is now in it’s tenth year. Crawley has previously been awarded the title of Trailblazer by the Campaign for Drawing, organizers of the Big Draw in 2008.

Organisers of Big Draw event in Crawley selected two themes ‘The Power of Ten’ and ‘Look to the Future’ from the Campaign for Drawing options. All events were free with sketchbooks and stickers handed out at every event.

It all started and finished at Ginger Moo Gallery in the County Mall. Other events were held at Tilgate Park, Oriel High School, Crawley Library and Thomas Bennett Community College. Unfortunately, due to sickness, we were unable to attend all the events but took plenty of pictures for you.

Whilst visiting Oriel High School in Maidenbower, Crawley we spoke to Katie Lehec, Community Arts Co-ordinator for Oriel who told us “Oriel is in it’s fourth year of being an Arts Specialist School and we are very proud of our achievements. The children (and parents alike) used a magnifying glass to portray the image so they could copy it. We focused on texture, colour, shiny surfaces, fabric, tissue paper, paints and felt tips”.

Hazel Ellis from The Hawth Promotions and Community Arts Department said “we are really pleased with the turn out. Especially the after school attendance where local residence travelled from all regions of Crawley to attend.

Rhiannon Davies lives in Pound Hill with her two children aged six and nine who attend Turners Hill Primary School said “the children have had loads of fun, especially the nine year old who thoroughly enjoys drawing and doodling. It’s lovely to see the finished creations”.

Liz McLeish attended with her two children and told us “it’s a lovely opportunity for the children to freely be creative and make some wonderful artistic collages”.

An eleven year old young lady told us she is very interested in art and will be focusing on an arts degree. She thought the event was very exciting and hoped to do it again.

During the month of October some amazing creations had been formed out of plastic bags, recycled materials, chalk and various other methods, all created with intelligence and care for the environment as the theme. Back at Ginger Moo for the finale we had the pleasure of being shown round by Rachel Cowell. Rachel bought Ginger Moo to the County Mall a year ago now and has done a brilliant job of bringing local artists to our attention. All the exhibitors are fairly local people, some very young. If you have never popped in to see the art work, we would encourage you to do so.

We would like to thank everyone for their support and kindness. We are keeping our fingers crossed for another top accolade for Crawley for 2009. Our thanks also goes to Sam from CBC for holding the camera and doing such a great job! xx

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