We’re looking forward to welcoming the fourth edition of The National Festival of Making back to Blackburn on Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th of June 2022.
CELEBRATING MAKING AND INNOVATION
This one-of-a-kind festival celebrates all kinds of making and innovation, whether it’s done at home or on an industrial scale. With Blackburn and the North West being a hub for making since the industrial revolution, it makes perfect sense to host the occasion right here!
A DIVERSE PROGRAMME OF FREE EVENTS
This year’s programme is a diverse array of work focusing on manufacturing, art, making and communities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and seeing as it’s all free and family friendly, you really are spoilt for choice.
Workshops, exhibitions, talks and tours will be taking place across 22 Blackburn venues over the weekend. Newly appointed Chair of the Board of Directors, Jamie Holman, urges all festival goers to “MAKE, SEE, DO AND HEAR”, so we’ve highlighted just a taster of what you can enjoy…
SUSTAINABLE FASHION BINGO
Patrick Grant, The Great British Sewing Bee judge, will be hosting his take on bingo at 11am on Saturday in Cathedral Square. His mission is to find the most sustainable person in the crowd, so make sure you dress accordingly! Think second hand pieces, repaired items and repurposed favourites.
LET’S MAKE ART
The Let’s Make Art team return to the festival with their new project, Poster People. This activity is inspired by the paper dresses of the swinging 60s, and slogan t-shirts made popular in the colourful 80s by Katharine Hamnett.
Families are invited to make a wearable poster adorned with a positive message about anything you want. Posters will be made from bright paper and recycled materials – add drawings, patterns, photos – it’s totally up to you. The aim is to make your message stand out around Blackburn town centre.
The Poster People project is taking place in space fifty nine at The Festival Hub on King William Street.
EXPLORE THE WAKES WEEKS WITH MOLLY BLAND
Did your parents or grandparents talk about the Wakes Weeks? They were a holiday tradition when industrial towns such as Blackburn closed their many factories and travelled to seaside towns such as Blackpool, usually by train.
In collaboration with Cardboard Box Company, Molly has put together an interactive installation that takes the Wakes Weeks as inspiration, in addition to a collage workshop that’s ideal for families.
This event will be taking place within Blackburn Library.
HOPEFUL & GLORIOUS MAKERS MARKET
A handpicked group of talented crafters, traders and artists are coming together at Blackburn Cathedral on Saturday to showcase handmade jewellery, homeware, limited edition fashion pieces and affordable art, including plenty of totally unique items.
Drop by to experience a vibrant and exciting marketplace where something is sure to catch your eye and provide you with creative inspiration.
PAY US A VISIT AT BLACKBURN MARKET
Once you’ve visited the Hopeful & Glorious Makers Market, why not pay our very own Blackburn Market a visit, too?
We’ll be open from 8:30am till 5:30pm on Saturday and our food court makes the perfect pit-stop for hungry festival goers. Feel free to look around our other stalls to pick up your essentials such as meat, fruit and veg and bread, and perhaps even some fabric to start a new project inspired by the festival.
ART IN MANUFACTURING SEASON 4
Art in Manufacturing Season 4 will also be exhibiting over the weekend.
Accomplished artists have been inspecting the boundaries between technical and creative, and Season Four takes us right onto the factory floors, working with cardboard, clay, textiles, steel, robotics and construction fabrication.
ENJOY THE NATIONAL FESTIVAL OF MAKING 2022
This is just a small selection of what’s on – the full programme of events is available here, be sure to have a thorough read and make a note of what takes your fancy.
Have a fantastic weekend!
