Celebrating Age Festival seeks work from local artists with ‘happiness’ theme
IT’S time for creative over 50s to shine – Bristol’s Celebrating Age Festival which starts this autumn is calling for entries for its annual art competition.
This year’s festival which runs from 25 September – 10 October will be themed ‘100 Ways To Happiness‘.
It will launch with a large event at M Shed, Harbourside, on Sunday 25 September where prizes will be awarded to three successful artists and their work will be displayed.
The aim of the festival, which has been running since 2007, is to get older people involved in a range of activities in neighbourhoods across the city during the two-week period.
Celebrating Age Festival (CAF) Deputy Chair Judith Brown says they are looking for art entries, ‘in any medium’ from paintings and sculptures to collage and tapestry.
She says: “We really want to welcome collective entries from residential homes and nursing homes as well as individual creative people.
“We want to spread happiness across the city and entries should reflect this theme with people sharing what makes them happy. If you live in Bristol and are over 50, we look forward to receiving your artwork.
“While your imagination should be limitless – entries should be no bigger than 3ft by 3ft.”
Chief Executive of Age UK Mark Baker says: “Happiness is a central part of wellbeing and we are working towards an age-friendly city where the wellbeing of older people is our highest priority.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for those of 50 and above to show the city the wealth of talent that exists in Bristol.”
In 2013, local art for wellbeing group Art-Ease – which runs from Knowle West Health Park – won an award for its entry which was a collaboration from all members.
All entries for 2016 must be submitted to Bristol Central Library on Saturday 20 August, where a ballot box will be available so people can vote for their three favourite artworks.
For more information about the competition contact Shelley Hankins, Services Manager, Age UK Bristol, Canningford House, 38 Victoria Street, Bristol BS1 6BY, email shelleyhankins@ageukbristol.org.uk or call 0117 927 6614.
For further information about the festival go to www.celebratingagefestival.co.uk
