Mandinga Arts are leading a ‘Design and Make’ masterclass specifically for local professional artists that will take place at Blackfriars Arts Centre in Boston. It’s a fantastic development opportunity to increase your knowledge in carnival arts. The masterclass takes place on Saturday 31st August between 10am and 4pm and is free of charge for professional artists that live in Boston Borough or South Holland – a fee of £25 applies for professional artists living outside of the region.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU NEED TO BOOK FOR THIS MASTERCLASS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
If you would like to take part, please contact Frankie on TransportedFrankie@litc.org.uk.
More information about the workshop:
Mandinga Arts researches, designs, creates and delivers extraordinary and innovative outdoor performance costumes, floats and processions, engaging communities in collaboration with skilled professional artists, drawing on European, Latin American and African traditions, and continuously reinventing.
Mandinga Arts was established in 2002 by Co-Artistic Directors Charles Beauchamp and Julieta Rubio in response to a need for artists to work together on outdoor performance and to practice, improve, educate, share and promote carnival arts. The company brings together live music, carnival and street costume and dance, drawing on diverse influences from Europe, Latin America and Africa, with community based contributions to the carnival and outdoor performance movement in the UK.
Based in South-West London, Mandinga Arts’ studios are also used to facilitate workshops that enable the Co-Artistic Directors to share ideas and expertise with artists, practitioners and the community. As well as providing Master Workshops for those with an interest in expanding their expertise in costume design and outdoor arts, Mandinga Arts also facilitates workshops in schools and colleges for children and young people.
Workshop Overview
Facilitated by Artistic Director Charles Beauchamp the Mandinga Master Workshop is aimed primarily at adults with an interest in developing and extending their knowledge and experience in carnival and street theatre arts, some of the major aspects involved in costume design and realisation. The workshop will focus on Mandinga Arts’ creative direction and offer the participants an opportunity to explore various materials and techniques first hand with particular focus on the uses of low and high density foams. Participants will learn how to heat, mould, cut and form, this versatile material, ideally suited to combined art forms.
A brief presentation from Charles Beauchamp will include edited DVDs of Mandinga performances and a backstage look at varied design aspects, techniques and materials used in the realisation of costumes, props and puppets as well as issues of performance and delivery. Examples of a variety of drawings, models, masks, costumes, props and medium scale puppets will be available for participants to try on and test.
The aim of the session is to explore, inspire, share and exchange experiences
with participants whatever their discipline, background, age and ability, through a stimulating and positive approach to learning. By providing the practical support needed, the participants will broaden their creative knowledge and confidence.
