The Blank Page Project returns this Easter with brand-new artist workshops

The Blank Page Project is returning for Easter holidays to offer young people aged 10-16 the chance to get creative and learn something new at a variety of free workshops.

Launched in March 2023 and funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity Fund, The Blank Page Project provides free, enriching and engaging activities in libraries during the school holidays. Since its launch, The Blank Page Project has hosted 100 different workshops across Suffolk which have been attended by more than 1,000 young people.

The Easter programme starts on Tuesday 2 April until Friday 12 April, giving young people plenty of opportunities to take part in a free creative workshop during the school holidays.

Workshops will take place at our libraries in Lowestoft, Haverhill, Bungay, Beccles, Gainsborough, Great Cornard, Chantry, Halesworth and Stowmarket, with the addition of two new library venues in Bury St Edmunds and Felixstowe. Michelle Brace’s workshop at Beccles Library is aimed at older teens aged 14-17.

Our new artists include singer and performing arts practitioner Evie Capon, sustainable textiles artist and Suffolk Libraries Environmentalist in Residence Clare Sams, special effects artist and pantomime production expert Toto Reche-Martinez, and actor and arts practitioner Lorna-Jane Garside.

Katie Puls, Youth Activities Producer at Suffolk Libraries and the creator of The Blank Page Project, said:

“We are so pleased to bring back The Blank Page Project this Easter! We’re hoping that this year’s workshops will be bigger and better than before. We encourage any young person to book on to a free creative activity, especially if you’ve never taken part before. We’re also excited to work with some brand-new artists this Easter and we’re sure everyone will enjoy getting stuck in! This is where your story starts.”

Easter workshops include nature journaling, sensory puppetry theatre, photography, creative writing, digital art, plaster and paint, special effects make-up, character creation, filmmaking and voiceover, board games creation, mural painting and more.

Some facilitators are incorporating the theme of spring and new beginnings into their workshops, to tie into Suffolk Libraries’ new fundraising campaign Make a Difference With a Daisy.

All information on our Easter workshops including how to book can be found on the Suffolk Libraries website at suffolklibraries.co.uk/blank-page.

If you have any questions about these activities or would like to find out more, get in touch with our Youth Activity Producer Katie by emailing katie.puls@suffolklibraries.co.uk.