Abbeydale Community Club free arts event to take place

People in Redditch are swapping screens for the great outdoors and getting creative at a fun-filled community arts day on Saturday (March 29).

The free ‘Get Back to Nature’ event includes live theatre, giant puppets, arts, crafts, games and more all inspired by the River Arrow and Redditch’s iconic kingfisher bird.

People can drop in to Abbeydale Community Club anytime between 12pm and 4pm to join the fun.

Sebas Hau, Ruth Mestel and Jonathan Graney (Image: Reimagine Redditch) Richard Bromhall, programme director for Reimagine Redditch, said: “We’re thrilled that we could work with people in Abbeydale to provide a creative offer that helps to address a real challenge for families in the community. And we’re delighted we could commission the fantastic Itzatna Arts Collective to bring the project to life.

“Itzatna not only design innovative and exciting arts workshops and events, but they also specialise in creating intercultural collaborations between artists and communities from Mexico, Latin America, and the UK.

“It’s wonderful that ‘Get Back to Nature’ also connects its young participants with the wider world in this way, through Redditch’s symbolic Kingfisher. A bird found across the globe, from Australia to England to Mexico.”

The arts event is free to attend (Image: Reimagine Redditch) Reimagine Redditch developed the ‘Get Back to Nature’ project in response to parents’ concerns about children spending too much time on screens and not enough time enjoying the outdoors.

The Borough’s dedicated creative and cultural programme has teamed up with Itzatna Arts Collective to design and deliver a series of creative workshops and a community event that reconnect children with the natural world through creativity.

Itzatna Arts have been in residency at Endeavour Schools Trust, St George’s First School in Redditch working with pupils to explore the beauty of nature before channelling their inspiration into a range of artistic workshops.

Through drama, storytelling, arts and crafts, pupils have immersed themselves in a world where nature takes centre stage, using the outdoors as inspiration for new characters, thrilling adventures, and shared creative experiences. 

The children will stage a performance in school for invited guests at the end of the week.

There will be live theatre, art, games and more (Image: Reimagine Redditch) Sebas Hau, co-Director and producer at Itzatna Arts Collective, said: “Get Back To Nature’ is a chance for families to celebrate the natural beauty of Worcestershire, the River Arrow, and the global journey of Redditch’s iconic kingfisher.

“Step away from the screen and join us in bringing families together through creativity. We’ll be running nature-themed activities including theatre, arts, crafts and games designed to spark young imaginations, encourage teamwork, and bring families together.

“The ‘Get Back to Nature’ event gives everyone in Redditch the chance to take part in the fun.”

Claire Martin, Headteacher at St George’s First School, said: “We want to instil in our children a sense of pride and connection to our local community.

“Sebas and his team have organised unique creative workshops that have helped them learn more about the town they live in and uncovered talents our children didn’t even know they had. 

“The feedback from the children and staff has been incredible so far and we are so grateful to Reimagine Redditch for organising this project. We’re excited to continue being part of something truly unique and special. We’re all looking forward to the final performances.”

Get Back to Nature! is a collaborative project brought to life by Reimagine Redditch, ITZATNA Arts, Hipkiss & Graney, and writer/director Ruth Mestel from Calathea Arts.

If you want to join the fun and help email sebas@itzatna.org or contact Sebas via WhatsApp/SMS on 07899 296 027.