Cullompton springs to life with arty party extravaganza

The heart of Cullompton will be buzzing with creativity as the Cullompton Creatives host an Arty Party at the Cullompton Baptist Church next month.

The event on Saturday, June 8, which coincides with the 26th birthday celebration of the Cullompton Farmer’s Market, promises a morning of fun, creativity, and community engagement.

The Arty Party will feature free family-friendly creative workshops from 9.30am to 12.30pm, inviting everyone to drop in and have a go. From willow weaving with creatives Weird Sticks CIC to printmaking with artist Helen McCormick.

Helen McCormick said: “I’m delighted to be part of this community event to celebrate our creative community. I often teach ceramics so it’s a great opportunity to introduce families to new printmaking techniques. It’s going to be loads of fun I can’t wait.”

Vik Westaway of Weird Sticks CIC echoed this sentiment, saying: “We are so excited to bring an Arty Party to the heart of Cullompton. We’re welcoming back the awesome Drum Devon, super talented local Artist and teacher Helen McCormick and my Willow Weaving partner in twine Hannah will be teaching families how to create woven willow bird feeders.

"The idea for the event came from the very successful Arty Party at the Hayridge last year. We thought it would be great to develop the idea and work with the Farmers Market to create a family friendly event which also celebrates the Farmers Market’s birthday."

In addition to the creative workshops, attendees can also sign up their outdoor space to the Butterfly Conservation’s Wild Spaces Scheme and get practical advice from Mole End Plants on how to encourage more pollinating insects into their gardens and outdoor spaces.

The Arty Party is not just confined to the Baptist Church. The whole of Cullompton’s Higher Bullring will be alive with activity as it’s also the Farmer’s Market’s 26th Birthday Celebration. Attendees are encouraged to take a stroll through the Town Centre to visit great independent shops and cafes and don’t miss The Walronds Garden where they’ll be holding their popular Artisan Craft Market.

The Arty Party has been funded through the Vibrant Town Centre scheme by Mid Devon District Council and the Cullompton Town Council Community Grants Programme.