Featured Events in Barnstaple in April, 2024 (May Updated)

Join Janine for an invigorating Hoop Jam session at the Urban Sports Centre in Braunton, UK, where Cardio, Core Strength, and Dance converge. This in-person event offers an opportunity to rediscover the joy of play, learn new tricks, and engage in a dynamic exercise experience. Whether you're a beginner struggling to keep the hoop up or a seasoned hooper, all skill levels are welcome. Hoops will be provided at the venue, with an option to purchase if you find one that resonates with you. For the first four sessions in March, 70% of profits will be donated to Warchild.org. Don't miss out on this unique chance to blend fun and fitness seamlessly. The Hoop Jam with Janine will take place on April 12, 2024, at the Urban Sports Centre in Braunton, Barnstaple, UK. Ticket sales have ended, but the excitement of the event is just beginning.

Experience a captivating interactive story tailored for children at 12 o'clock with Sophie Cobb. Delve into a world filled with enchanting elements such as a curious badger, lush moss, and mystical portholes. Sophie Cobb, a talented local artist with a deep-rooted passion for folk and fairy tales, will be presenting her unique Interactive Story specifically crafted for Barnstaple Library's Nature Takeover Day. Using props and artistry, she will ignite the imaginations of young minds, offering an opportunity to visually interpret the narrative. Discover Sophie's storytelling magic in the children's library and beneath the Reading tree at midday. Attendees are invited to contribute a donation as an entrance fee. Don't miss this imaginative journey on April 13th at Barnstaple Library on Tuly Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1EL.

The Mossy Carpet, organized by the Art & Energy Collective, is a mass participation massive artwork project inspired by mosses. Over 8000 people of all ages have contributed to creating a 19m mossy carpet so far. The collective aims to involve over 100,000 individuals and produce a 100m carpet by 2025, seeking all the assistance available. Participants will also have the chance to share their small environmental actions via the Tardigrade telephone while working on the project. Tardigrades, resilient microscopic creatures living in moss, will capture your messages and later vocalize them from the completed carpet as part of the artwork. If you wish to donate wool to the project, kindly bring it to the event. Moreover, attendees can bring any moss-inspired woolly pompoms they have crafted at home to the drop-off point during the event. Join in this creative endeavor at Barnstaple Library on Tuly Street, Barnstaple, EX31 1EL, on April 13, 2024, with free admission.

A fundraising concert in support of North Devon Hospice and St John's Church Newport is set to take place at the Church of St John the Baptist in Barnstaple on April 19, 2024. The North Devon Choral Society will be performing Handel's Messiah at this event. Ticket prices range from £0 to £15, with a discounted rate of £12.50 for seniors. Students and children can attend for free. Attendees can enjoy refreshments, participate in a raffle, and benefit from complimentary parking at the Park & Ride located below Park School. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy beautiful music while supporting two important local causes.

Alison Lam, a neurodiverse British-Chinese artist, social practitioner, and educator, will be hosting free workshops for neurodiverse individuals and their parents/caregivers at Studio KIND. at The Corn Store in Barnstaple. As part of her touring exhibition and workshop program, "Mind The Gap," she will guide participants in creating 3D sculptures with paper, drawing inspiration from origami lotus flowers featured in her exhibition. Through her personal experience as a parent of two autistic sons, Alison has developed a unique approach to art that captures moments of overwhelm, happiness, and sadness. Tailored to different age groups and individual needs, the sessions will include trust-building exercises, movement breaks, and quiet moments. Participants will have the opportunity to be filmed during the workshops, with their consent, to create a film. Session 1, taking place on April 25th, is specifically for individuals under 18, who must be accompanied by a parent/guardian/carer. Limited spots are available for each session, except for Session 4, which is open to all ages as a drop-in activity. This event is made possible with the support of Arts Council England National Lottery project grants.

Join Amy Jobes for an exclusive beginners workshop that will ignite your creative spirit in the captivating world of oil painting. This workshop is perfect for those who have always yearned to try oil painting but are unsure of where to begin. Amy Jobes, a renowned landscape artist based in North Devon, will expertly guide you through each step, enabling you to create a breathtaking landscape oil painting that truly speaks to your soul. Throughout the class, Amy will delve into the fundamental traditional techniques and methods of oil painting, while encouraging you to embrace the freedom of expression and let go of any apprehension or attachment to perfection. Gain invaluable knowledge on various aspects such as composition ideas, using a sketch and ground, creating depth with tone, working from dark to light, exploring the world of muted versus saturated colors, and the art of impasto mark making. To fully participate in this enriching experience, please bring along a packed lunch to keep your creative energy flowing. Equip yourself with two 16 x 12 inches canvases or canvas boards, a tear-off palette (available from The Works), Liquin Low Odour White Spirit, two empty jam jars with lids for the white spirit, an old rag for paint removal, kitchen roll, and a palette knife or old credit card for texture creation. If you prefer to purchase a new palette knife, larger tapered knives are recommended. Additionally, two large brushes from a DIY store will suffice, along with a fan brush and a selection of hogs hair brushes specifically designed for oil painting – two small round brushes, two medium round brushes, and two medium flat brushes. Lastly, gather your oil paints, which should include Alkyd Titanium white (minimum 40ml), Burnt Sienna, Raw Umber, Ultramarine Blue, Phthalo Blue, Turquoise, Lemon Yellow, Rose Madder or a similar vibrant pink, Buff Titanium, and any other colors that spark your creativity. The event will take place at the exquisite Studio KIND. located at the Cornstore within Barnstaple’s Pannier Market. This new venue offers disabled access and toilets, ensuring inclusivity for all attendees. Convenient transportation options include several bus and train routes, and parking facilities are available nearby. Immerse yourself in this captivating workshop and discover the joy of oil painting under the expert guidance of Amy Jobes. Secure your spot now for an unforgettable experience.

Alison Lam, a neurodiverse British-Chinese artist, is hosting free workshops for neurodiverse individuals and their parents/carers at Studio KIND. at The Corn Store in Barnstaple. These workshops are part of her project, Mind The Gap, which aims to connect with various neurodiverse communities in the UK. Participants will have the opportunity to create 3D paper sculptures inspired by origami lotus flowers from Alison’s exhibition, ‘This Is Where I Leave You’. The sessions, tailored to different age groups and individual needs, will include trust-building exercises and discussions on capturing both joyful and challenging moments. Participants may be filmed during the workshops, which will be compiled into a film. Session 2 will take place on April 25th from 14:00-16:30 and is open to all ages. Limited spots are available for other sessions, so early booking is advised. These workshops are supported by Arts Council England National Lottery project grants, and more information can be found on the Studio KIND. website.

Alison Lam, a neurodiverse British-Chinese artist, social practitioner, and educator, is hosting free workshops for neurodiverse individuals and their parents/carers at Studio KIND. at The Corn Store in Barnstaple. As part of her project, Mind The Gap, which is a touring exhibition and workshop program aimed at different neurodiverse communities across the UK, Alison will be leading sessions where participants will create 3D sculptures with paper, taking inspiration from the origami lotus flowers featured in her exhibition. These sessions, part of Alison's solo exhibition 'This Is Where I Leave You', will cater to individuals of various ages and will include trust-building exercises and discussions on capturing moments of overwhelm, happiness, and sadness. Each session will be tailored to specific age groups and individual requirements, with movement breaks and quiet moments incorporated throughout. Participants will have the opportunity to be filmed, with the footage being used in a film project. Session 2, open to all ages, will take place on Thursday, April 25th from 2:00 to 4:30 PM. Limited spots are available, and more information about Alison's exhibition can be found on the Studio KIND. website. This event is supported by Arts Council England National Lottery project grants.