The Den festival is an amazing community festival hosted in a different community each year by the Royal Exchange Theatre, in 2024 I had the joy of designing and creating activities for families at the den festival. Including a big community make and do which which saw members of the community using using boxes to turn themselves into magical modes of transport. The day encouraged families to work together and creatively explore recycled materials. I also had the joy of helping host the launch evening for the festival where I celebrated audience and participants with 10 minute illustrated portraits.
I created a collection of postcards which were used for a kindness exchange across the city and created a giant postbox character for people to post their cards. people were encouraged to write kind messages on the postcards and post them to a stranger .
This wonderful festival has been such a joy to work on every year because it aligns with my ethos and the belief system of my work, that art and creativity are for everybody. The level of authentic engagement on the den project is extraordinary and so special.