About Budding Creativity
In 2013, the newly formed Budleigh Salterton Arts Society decided to begin a ‘Young Arts’ programme. The ‘Budding Creativity’ project ambitiously aimed to work with age groups from 9 to 19 years, of all abilities, and across a spectrum of arts.
The original concept featured storytelling in primary schools, and mural art in secondary schools. Local primary schools took turns to write chapters and produce illustrations for an adventure story, after which a guest writer edited their efforts and added a secret ending. Meanwhile, local secondary schools interpreted that first story, Summer Storm, in large murals and these were displayed along Budleigh Salterton seafront through the summer of 2014.
Eventually music was added in the form of an annual narrative song, and in 2016 poetry became an important addition. Poems reflecting the core elements of the story were printed on recycled weatherproof boards and displayed alongside the murals.
By 2017 the project involved eleven schools and over 200 children annually. In view of its increasing popularity it was decided to change the story-telling process. From 2018, all participating schools will be invited to produce short stories, mural art and poetry on a given theme. The theme for 2018 is ‘Gold’, chosen to highlight the 50th anniversary in 2018 of The Arts Society.
Anchoring the project within the community and our local natural environment has always been a core element of the project. For this reason the stories have used local characters (the ‘Heroes of the Jurassic Coast’), and most action takes place on the beautiful coastline and in the hinterland of glorious East Devon.
The original concept featured storytelling in primary schools, and mural art in secondary schools. Local primary schools took turns to write chapters and produce illustrations for an adventure story, after which a guest writer edited their efforts and added a secret ending. Meanwhile, local secondary schools interpreted that first story, Summer Storm, in large murals and these were displayed along Budleigh Salterton seafront through the summer of 2014.
Eventually music was added in the form of an annual narrative song, and in 2016 poetry became an important addition. Poems reflecting the core elements of the story were printed on recycled weatherproof boards and displayed alongside the murals.
By 2017 the project involved eleven schools and over 200 children annually. In view of its increasing popularity it was decided to change the story-telling process. From 2018, all participating schools will be invited to produce short stories, mural art and poetry on a given theme. The theme for 2018 is ‘Gold’, chosen to highlight the 50th anniversary in 2018 of The Arts Society.
Anchoring the project within the community and our local natural environment has always been a core element of the project. For this reason the stories have used local characters (the ‘Heroes of the Jurassic Coast’), and most action takes place on the beautiful coastline and in the hinterland of glorious East Devon.
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