To celebrate the Gwent Levels’ historical landscape, rich heritage and amazing wildlife, we’ve partnered up with the Tin Shed Theatre Co. to create Big Skies Community Art Project. This is a collaboration which aims to bring all of the elements that makes the Gwent Levels special to the public, in a big event filled with performances, stories and live art.
Last year, we held our first Big Skies event at RSPB Newport Wetlands. It was a chance to explore the area and learn more about the wintering migration of birds that live there through the medium of pop-up performances and exhibitions.
This year, our second Big Skies event was held at the beautiful Caldicot Castle, and 270 people turned up to enjoy. In the afternoon, the audience wandered and explored the castle’s grounds, enjoyed pop-up performances, interactive installations and crafty workshops. As dusk settled, writer and performer, Christine Watkins, held a special story-telling session in interior of the castle, which was decorated with striking lanterns. The event culminated with a ‘twilight picnic’ and a spectacular pyrotechnic and light display.
This was part of the wider Big Skies Community Art Project, which runs for three years. It involves creative workshops with local school children, as well as collaborations with other community groups. This year, we collaborated with local primary schools and Coleg Gwent to make Big Skies a success.
Next year will be the last one for this project, so we’d like to make Big Skies 2020 as amazing as possible. Look out for more information over the coming months.
