Community Workshops
Overview
2025 Community workshops
The build up to making he beautiful lanterns and costumes starts in spring and summer, with school, public and community group workshops. There is something for everyone of any age or ability. You dont need any previous experience. Our fantastic community artists will help you to make willow lanterns that you can use in the parade, or give you the skills to carry on and make your own lanterns at home.
Overview
2023 Giant Community Procession workshops and entry With Love Art Workshops
This year, Torchlight will be creating a community entry that anyone can enter.
Workshops will be held throughout the summer to make beautiful lanterns, decorations and gifts to hand out to the public along the procession route.
We have been incredibly lucky to work with Love Art Workshops, Lana Grindley and Amy Williams to deliver this series of summer workshops.
The vision for the entry
To help Kendal Bloom
Imagine a wild flower meadow parading that’s lit up moving “beebuffet”.
With lantern pollinators dotted amongst it’s bee, butterfly flies, beetles and wasps
Smaller flowers will be handed out to the public with wild flower seeds attached. “Bee kind, plant me in October”
Why?
To highlight the bees decline, promote and wild flowers
To promote the greening of our urban spaces in Kendal creating more habitats at home
In the workshops, we will make lanterns, giant petals and smaller flowers, we will reuse lanterns from last year’s lantern garden to create flowers
Public Workshops
Summer workshops weekly at the Brewery Arts Centre in Studio 3 for the autumn entry – Mystical woodland theme.
Workshop Dates:
• 19–22 August, 2–4pm
• 26–29 August, 2–4pm
These are open to all . You dont need any previous experience. Our fantastic community artists will help you to make willow lanterns that you can use in the parade, or give you the skills to carry on and make your own lanterns at home.
Public Costume Workshops
Kendal Torchlight Costume Workshops – Every Thursday!
Dates: Thursdays – 14th, 21st, 28th August & 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th September
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Schools
Last year we worked with a number of schools to create some amazing lanterns and costumes for the procession.
Schools have always played a huge part in Torchlight and we hope to have as may schools as possible take part again this year.
We have a limited amount of funding available for Schools to work with artists to create lanterns with teachers, pupils and parents. We will also support schools who wish to take part independently.
Community Groups
Each year we hold workshops for community groups, in particular those who would not be able to attend public workshops. These are private workshops, held on site with artists and facilitators to help everyone experience the joy of creating Torchlight.
Collaborative Workshops
Each year we hold collaborative workshops to allow groups to join together in creative making sessions, to learn and work together whilst learning about each other and making new friends. Past workshops have included Summer Hill Care Home and Ghyllside School. The students and residents worked together and had a great time making friendships as well as building and decorating lanterns for the parade.
Join the Kendal Bloom entry
The Kendal in bloom entry is open to all. if you would like to be a part of this group in the procession, email us info@kendaltorchlight.co.uk
Come along to Abbot Hall for 6.30pm on saturday 23rd September to check in. Wear bright colours, or costumes and if possible remember to light up your outfit so you can be seen in the dark.
