We were delighted to welcome lots of families to ‘The Mill Shipyard’ during this summer’s Walthamstow Garden Party, to bring to life the picture book ‘Grandad’s Island’ by local author-illustrator Benji Davies. Children helped to create a colourful boat, inspired by the ship that transports Grandad and Syd on their adventure in the award winning story. Watch our video from the weekend made by Laura Martinez
The cardboard boat was created for The Mill by local artist, Vanessa Bright, and was a blank canvas for children to get creative and paint, as well as decorating cardboard planks to adorn its hull. The boat will be setting sail for new adventures later in the summer…
The event kicked off a series of summer activities from The Mill, taking place as part of the Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture flagship project, ‘‘From Page to Pavement’, run by local arts organisation, Artillery.
The Mill is holding a series of free, specially themed art workshops for local children across the summer holidays, working with local artists to bring the colourful illustrations from ‘Grandad’s Island’ to life. From creating exotic flowers and creatures from the land and sea, making animal masks, using recycled materials to construct tropical birds, and creating sailors hats and all things nautical, there are plenty of ways to get involved.
The workshops culminate with a special procession for families and local residents taking place on Sunday 1 September. Everyone is invited to meet at The Mill at 2pm to make a procession up the famous Walthamstow High Street.
Pride of place on the procession will be the cardboard boat from the Garden Party, which will sail up the High Street surrounded by all the colourful plants and creatures made by children at the summer workshops.
We hope you can join us for the procession which is open to all! Children who were not able to attend a workshop are welcome to make their own plant or creature at home to bring along.
The Mill is grateful for financial support from Artillery and Waltham Forest London Borough of Culture.
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