CHILDREN’S creative talents are being given the chance to shine at Saturday clubs being held ahead of the launch of a major arts project.

Heart of Glass, billed as one of the most ambitious arts schemes in the town’s history, will unfold over the next three years thanks to a £1.5 million grant.

Two iconic emblems of the town’s heritage – glass and rugby league – will be at its core after Saints Community Development Foundation led a consortium that secured Arts Council England funding.

Organisers hope to involve thousands of people, including those who have never taken part in the arts, to celebrate what is distinct about the town.

Public art, dance, music, theatrical displays, creative writing, digital and visual arts will all be used to celebrate themes that have been described as the town’s ‘cultural heartbeat’.

Groundwork for the project is underway and links with the family art club, which is meeting at St Mary’s market art space for the next three Saturdays.

The first workshop, with artist Robyn Woolston – entitled Maps, Moons and Memories – drew a healthy crowd of youngsters.

Meanwhile, a series of small commissions will be offered to support the town’s creative sector.

Organisers want bright ideas that capture St Helens’ creativity. Creative groups such as break-dancers, brass bands, quilters, choirs, theatre-makers and cinema societies are among those invited to attend sessions at the World of Glass on Saturday, May 3, from 10am to noon, and Thursday, May 8 from 6 to 8pm.

Speaker Debbie Chan, who produced a Manchester Cornerhouse’s Micro-commissions programme, will provide an insight into how a small amount of funding can bring an idea to life.

To register an interest, email info@heartofglass.org.uk.

Family Arts Clubs

  • Saturday: 'Illustrating you'. Drawing and lettering techniques with artist Jim Medway to create unique animal self-portraits.
  • Saturday, May 10: 'The way we will live together'. Join artist Polly Brannan to build a future townscape of St Helens using cardboard, bottles, boxes and a lots of other materials.
  • Saturday, May 17: 'A maze of streets'. Draw houses, create rubber stamps and find your way through mazes with Claire Weetman.