Get away from lockdown by taking a trip to Corby's virtual art galleries

The Made With Many galleries will be open to the public on Friday
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A community-led arts programme based in Corby has devised an ingenious way of allowing culture vultures enjoy an exhibition of work by people in and around the town.

The online art spaces will be open to the public on Friday, November 6, from 2pm when visitors will be able to explore two virtual galleries full of extraordinary artwork created by Corby people as part of the Made With Many programme.

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Creative participants on the 'Time To...' and ‘Connecting Corby' projects had been busy making art works but due to Covid-19 the planned events had to be mothballed.

Helen Willmott, Made With Many programme director, said: “We are delighted to now be able to present this work in a safe environment whilst at the same time trying something really innovative in Corby.

"It was with a heavy heart that we had to postpone these celebration events in March 2020 due to the threat of Covid-19, as many of our participants are in the vulnerable group.

"These events were really important to the team, the artists we had been working with and the local people that had helped to create them and we were determined to do justice to the fantastic artwork had been made."

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A mass of creative work had been made through the two projects.

Artist Phiona Richards with origami kusudamas made as part of Time To... 
©Paul StringerArtist Phiona Richards with origami kusudamas made as part of Time To... 
©Paul Stringer
Artist Phiona Richards with origami kusudamas made as part of Time To... ©Paul Stringer

‘Time To…’ was a project that aimed to make a positive difference to the lives of older people in Corby, taking place in Corby Library, The Autumn Centre, care homes and community centres, supported by the ScottishPower Foundation, Larkfleet Community Fund, Arts Council England and Writing East Midlands.

‘Connecting Corby’, supported by the The National Lottery Community Fund and the Building Connections Fund (to combat loneliness and improve social connections within communities), had sessions taking place in community centres across Corby's Lloyds, Kingswood and Hazel Leys estates.

With all public venues being closed for the foreseeable future, the Made With Many team decided to work digitally, with V21 ArtSpace, to create a virtual exhibition space.

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The two virtual rooms can be navigated on any device that has an internet browser and exhibition visitors also have the opportunity to take part in recorded workshops in art, dance and poetry within that space.

[Made With Many] Artist Carole Miles with some of the artwork made as part of Connecting Corby ©Paul Stringer w3000px[Made With Many] Artist Carole Miles with some of the artwork made as part of Connecting Corby ©Paul Stringer w3000px
[Made With Many] Artist Carole Miles with some of the artwork made as part of Connecting Corby ©Paul Stringer w3000px

People who took part in the public workshops, as well as residents at local care homes who participated will be given a book of their artworks as a lasting memento of the project.

Entry to the galleries is completely free, however Made With Many would really value visitors’ time to complete each gallery’s audience survey, to help find out what people thought of the work, the way it is being presented and what activities local people would like to see in the future.

To view the online galleries Click HERE take the survey and for further details about each of these projects, click here or call the office on 01536 267895.

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Made With Many is a community-led arts programme which produces events and activities designed to inspire more local people than ever before to take the lead in experiencing, creating and taking part in high quality arts and cultural activities in Corby and Wellingborough.

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