CREATIVE residents living at Newquay’s urban expansion plan to build a more connected neighbourhood by staging an arts festival.

The Nansledan Arts Festival will include creative writing, photography, drawing workshops, spoken word events, music and yarn bombing over the weekend of September 20 and 22. The festival will also involve the creation of a giant fabric jigsaw with each piece completed by an individual.

Organisers are seeking funding and sponsorship to keep the cost to take part as low as possible. There will be free community events as well as ticketed workshops to honour the artists time and skill and to cover material.

The committee is seeking volunteers to help with various tasks from yarn bombing and leafleting to stewarding events.

They are also planning a legacy project that documents the changing faces of the Nansledan. A photographer will take pictures of willing Nansledan residents and they are invited to record a few words about themselves, which will form a permanent record of the development’s first generation of residents. It is hoped the project will be continued year on year.

Liz Hutchinson from Nansledan Arts Festival said: “A few months ago, a small group of Nansledan residents got together for a chat about different ways they could bring the arts to their developing community. Just a short while later they were launching their first initiative, a new arts festival.

“The development of Nansledan was designed to encourage community, and the festival’s mission is to build a more connected neighbourhood through the universal language of art.

“By bringing together people from all walks of life, including our local refugee population and residents across generational lines, the event will celebrate and elevate the diverse talents of the local area. The ultimate goal is to boost well-being and draw visitors to Nansledan, enhancing its cultural vitality.

“Other organisations, experts and artists have been generous with their time and advice to help them get started including the Duchy of Cornwall and Nansledan School.

“New events are being added all the time and will be published soon. If you have ideas that you are keen to see in the festival please reach out to the organisers.

“Local businesses can participate by sponsoring events and offering services. Anyone can get involved by offering artistic contributions, entering festival competitions or simply coming to the festival.

“Keep an eye out for how to take part in our events activities and competitions as they are rolled out by following us on social media and visiting our website. We would love to hear from people.”

Nansledan Arts Festival is looking for visual artists to display their work, performing artists, artisans and crafters passionate about sharing their skills in workshops and talks.

Anyone interested can email Nansledan.Arts.Festival@ gmail.com