First Creative Earth Eco Fest takes place at Cliffe Castle in Keighley

In a new partnership, Photo Hub North and Impressions Gallery present the first ever Creative Earth Eco Fest, from 12noon to 7pm, with hands-on activities, food, and entertainment.

The programme has been informed by consultation with local people, including those attending Keighley Healthy Living creative art classes, South Asian community groups at Highfields Community Association, as well as New Focus, Impressions Gallery’s young people’s collective, and artists working in sustainable ways.

Creative activities and artistic workshops to experience include: An eco-darkroom where participants can produce their own photogram; Learning how to make cyanotypes and anthotypes at plant-based photography workshops; Creating artwork from natural found objects; Making ‘one off’ flags using natural dyes and leaf printing; 'Re-loving' family photographs in a zine making workshop with local artist Jean McEwan; Hand decorating with henna art.

Other highlights include a ‘pop up outdoor gallery’ showcasing the work of local and national photographers. A ‘Wellbeing Zone’ will offer Tai Chi, outdoor play for families led by Keighley’s Get Out More CIC, and forest bathing.

Jane Hiley, Creative Projects Manager, Impressions Gallery says “Creative Earth will give people of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to make small changes within their own communities to help the environment. They can make eco-friendly art, learn how to grow their own food, take part in re-use, re-purpose and re-cycle workshops and share their ideas and eco hacks with other festival goers.”

Millside Community Centre's Welcome Cafe, which supports local asylum seekers, refugees, students and volunteers, will be at the festival, and food stalls include Caterpillar Catering vegan food and ‘chai & chats’ stall touring the grounds, inviting festival-goers to share ideas and eco-friendly hacks, over a cup of chai. There will be 'bitesize talks' on environmental issues, seed swapping opportunities, a pedal cycle cinema, live music, Keighley Rock Choir leading a sing-along to old classics, a dance-along to dhol drumming, and multi-cultural DJ sets by No Hands.

The day will end with a parade, led by The Haworth Band.

Lisa Holmes, Director, Photo Hub North, says, “Last year with the support of Land Art Agency, I launched the Creative Earth Network, a shared space bringing together artists from all over the world to explore working in a more environmentally conscious way. The response has been amazing, and we now have over 120 artists worldwide signed up.

"After this I thought it would be incredible to create a festival that celebrated all this wonderful work and share it with our local communities. We are especially pleased to be able to stage our first eco fest in the impressive grounds of Cliffe Castle. Thanks to funding from The Leap Awards we have been able to make Creative Earth Eco Fest free to attend.”

Anne McNeill, Director, Impressions Gallery says, “Six years ago Impressions Gallery pledged its commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Goals to ‘protect the planet’. Since then caring for the environment has increasingly been at the creative heart of what we strive to do.

"As a charity, we are committed to presenting and making photography that is more sustainable and better for the environment.

"I am delighted that Impressions has joined together with Photo Hub North to co-curate and help fund the first ever Creative Earth Eco Fest. I am thankful to core funding from The Leap which means we have been able to remove costs to attend for those who may not usually access the art or cultural events. My hope is that our eco fest will use the power of photography and art to help people feel confident making small sustainable changes, while having a whole lot of fun and enjoying a great day out.”