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A mish-mash of arts stuff you can go and find out about, maybe that you haven't come across before, or a different take on an artform you know well. Click on a heading below to zoom down to the detail.

Artform Insights - Graffiti & Street Art

Artform Insights - Masks Theatre

West Midlands Virtual Schools' TV

Artform Insights - Writing & Spoken Word

Artform Insights - Digital & Film

Artform Insights - Music

Artform Insights - Ceramics

Check it out Challenge

Introducing... Crispin & Nathan

Introducing... Yusuf Paul McCormack & Ty

Introducing... Saira-Jayne Jones & Lemn Sissay

Theatre & Characters

Visual Art and everyday objects

Costume and Body Art

Dance Styles

Dance Interpretation

Career Pathways in Dance

Dance Styles through the Ages

Book Recommendations

Chill Skills

Festivals

BBC

Crazy Cover Versions

Food Sculpture

Postage Stamp Art

Comic Book Characters

Portraits

Rockin' Around the Room

Land Art

Graffiti Arts

Animal Sculptures

Small Worlds

Artful Architecture

Mental Health and the arts

Extraordinary Music Making

Makeup Design & Costume

Hand Dancing

Visual Arts Creatures

graffiti  and  street art 

- make your mark -

Have you got something to say? Do you fancy leaving your mark ? Do you know your street art from your graffiti ?

Meet David 'Panda' Brown - a graffiti artist from Birmingham. Check out his website here, and watch this short film explaining the difference between street art and graffiti, and what's legal and illegal.

Take a look at this feature on graffiti art in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Check out Sheffield graffiti artist Trik09's work from our Summer Festival last year.

Brush up on graffiti art facts with this article https://kids.kiddle.co/Graffiti

Watch a teenage graffiti artist create a ‘stay at home’ message for his fellow citizens in Athens here

N.B. YouTube - contains ads & external links

Explore these 10 types of graffiti

N.B. YouTube - contains ads & external links

Is graffiti a good thing or just vandalism? Take a look at this short animated film and decide for yourself!

N.B. YouTube - contains ads & external links

graffiti careers

Find out how Panda - David Brown - became a professional graffiti artist at our Career Pathways page

Listen to street artist Mohammed Ali’s story of how he became a professional artist

have a go!

Graffiti Art 1 - tags

by David 'Panda' Brown

David shows you how to create your own tag using pens and paper.

Commissioned from David Brown for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.

Graffiti Art 2: sketching

by David 'Panda' Brown

Learn how to sketch a spray-can and a side profile face.

Commissioned from David Brown for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.

Create a graffiti style pinboard with BBC Bitesize artist Ricky

Grab some chalks and brighten up the pavements and concrete nearby

N.B. Contains ads and external links

- Masks Theatre -

• Masks in Theatre

• Masks in Festivals and Fashion

• Give it a Go

Check out How Hard Is Waving? by VAMOS Theatre Company on BBC iPlayer. 4 short films (10 mins approx each)  tell the story of a young man called Ryan, his Gran and zoom during lockdown. No words, just music, masks and movement tell this funny and touching tale.

masks in theatre

Vamos Theatre company is based in Worcester and is the leading mask theatre company in the country. https://www.vamostheatre.co.uk/

Masks appear in other plays and musicals, including The Lion King

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

Watch actor Adrienne Walker become the fearless Nala in The Lion King using make up, mask and costume

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

Check out the colourful make up and costume for Rafia (actor Tshidi Manye) in The Lion King

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

ready to have a go?

Stuff for all ages. Click the images to go to the activities

(N.B. all external links have ads and other links beyond our control)

Younger people

Try making these simple animal and monster masks from Jim Morris's Artgames

Take your pick from this huge range of simple masks to make with children

Younger people and teens

Check out other forms of body art and ways of decorating and disguising the body in Artslink’s Festival Body Art Tent. Have a go at designing your own mask or face make up

Make a 3D paper mache mask using a balloon, paper, glue and paints etc to decorate.

Singer Sia often hides her face using hats and wigs. Use a face template to design a ‘look’ which cleverly hides the face using hair or mask or a fan or a hat or... whatever you can think of... let your imagination go wild!

WMVS TV​

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Check out the brand new WMVS Children in Care Foundation YouTube Channel and watch Jaz tell you her story! We all have a story and Jaz will help unlock our young people's potential so their story is a successful one.

New videos every Wednesday. Click here to visit/subscribe to the WMVS TV YouTube channel

N.B. previous artform insights can be found on our Go and Look page

- Writing & Spoken Word -

• Meet Matt - Poet with Punch

• Go and Look - literature stuff

• Give it a Go

Watch the film to find out how Matt become a professional boxer and poet.

Meet Matt - Poet with Punch

Matt's work​

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Catch some of Matt's poems

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

Pen at the ready? Fingers at your keyboard?

give these writing challenges a go....

Stuff for all ages. Click the images to go to the activities

(N.B. all external links have ads and other links beyond our control)

Have a go at Matt's poetry challenges

Primary ages

Secondary ages

From top authors to tongue twisters, try out some wordy activities from our More Activities Literature page

Have a go at writing song lyrics

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

Check out the Poetry Palace Tent from our Summar Arts Festival - try the spoken word quiz and explore poems from Spoz and Jasmin Gardiosi

Listen to Mr Tumble’s top 3 nursery rhymes for young children

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

Check out these signed BSL stories for children

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

N.B. previous artform insights can be found on our Go and Look page

- Digital & Film-

Selfies...photo shoots...fashion...video games – all of these are part of the digital arts world. Take a look at the many ways that technology can create artworks and check out the exciting activities to try yourself. 

• Meet Mark - photographer & filmmaker

• Go and Look - cool digital stuff

• Give it a Go

Meet Birmingham based artist Mark Anderson, who combines his professional dance skills with his fascination for film and photography. 

Meet Mark

Mark's work​

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Click the links to find out about Mark's work as a:

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• Photographer

• Filmmaker

Career​

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Watch this short film and hear how Mark became skilled in dance and digital arts.

Look here how digital effects and dance are combined to create a dazzling display of shapes, shadows, colour and movement.

(N.B. YouTube - contains ads and external links)

ready for action? give these a go....

Stuff for all ages. Click the images to go to the activities

(N.B. all external links have ads and other links beyond our control)

Try out our photography challenges from InfuseDANCE

Get outdoors photographing nature and try these creative challenges set by professional photographer Adrian Burrows

Adrian helps you get started on photographing, up close, the things you find in green spaces around where you live.

Already a keen photographer? Watch Adrian's film and get started on shooting great pictures of plants and wildlife. You can also download Adrian's guide to shooting on smartphones - some really useful pointers on getting that perfect shot. Click on a flower below to download!

Fancy having a go at animation?  Try these animation activities on Artslink’s More Creative Challenges

Good for primary ages

Try out these simple online digital painting and drawing tasks from Tate Kids. Create your own painting and post it onto Tate’s online gallery!

Good for primary ages

Check out Tate Kids' photography filter challenge

- Music -

• Meet Vital - rapper and musician

• BSL signed pop songs

• Make some music

Meet VITAL

Wolverhampton-born rapper, musician, media business owner and BBC radio presenter Vital Powers is never happier than when inspiring young people to make and enjoy music.

Q&A

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Over the February half-term 2021 Vital was one the artists delivering our Check It Out Challenge, and the care experienced young people posed Vital a whole set of questions about him and his career. He answers them on this film.

Vital's Journey​

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Find out how Vital navigated "this thing we call the music industry" to build a successful career as a musician in this fascinating film.

Want to get into the music industry yourself?​

Have a look at the interviews on this brilliant BBC page: BBC Introducing: Jobs at music festivals and in the music industry

ready to make some music? give these a go....

Stuff for all ages. Click the images to go to the activities

(N.B. all external links have ads and other links beyond our control)

Check out the great range of musical activities for different ages on our Music page - from body percussion and free music-making apps to opera sessions for SEND young people and creating a rap.

Meander around our Festival Music Tent and try composing beats using your phone or using Garage Band, then relax and listen to the songs from around the world with musician Ricardo Roche and singer Sam Fox.

Here's a range of musical activities to do at home from Derbyshire Music Education Hub:

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4-7 years

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7-11 years

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12-16 years

Check out Soundabout's YouTube Channel which has a range of inclusive, fun music activities for people living with disabilities and special needs.

Take a look at Babies' Adventures in Music on YouTube for their warm and interactive musical performances for babies, carers, families and friends

ARTFORM INSIGHTS

- CERAMICS -

Welcome to the world of all things clay!

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• Meet the Flying Potter, Jon Williams

• Find out more about ceramics

• Try out some clay modelling yourself

Jon Williams is based in Herefordshire and amazingly his studio is the grounds of Eastnor Castle. Click the images to find out more.

Meet Jon the potter

How do you become a potter?

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Hear Jon talking about how he first got his hands mucky and developed a love of working with clay in his Artslink Career Pathways film.

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(other Artslink artist career interviews here)

How do you make a clay pot?

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Check out the different stages of making a pot

(N.B. external link to YouTube)

Jon's work​

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Jon's exhibition Sensational Clay was all about people being able to touch smell, hear and even taste clay! Click the image to find out more.

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You can see more of Jon's work on our online gallery here.

ready to get your hands dirty? give these a go....

Stuff for all ages. Click the images to go to the activities

(N.B. all external links have ads and other links beyond our control)

Sensory activity​ - grab some old newspaper, water, a bit of salt and flour and create paper clay

Here’s a range of scented and textured play doh recipes that you can scrunch, chop, twist, stretch and model

Some clay starter activities

Try making these beautiful clay bowls by following the instructional video

Instead of using clay, try paper mache to create a unicorn head sculpture, or make your own imaginary animal head

Or head over to our Creative Challenges and have go at Jon the Potter's challenges here

Any famous artists from your local area? Brilliant performance venues? Stunning statues in your local town? Online arts activities?

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Take part in Artslink’s exciting Check It Out Challenge and see how well know your local area. Find out what arts and culture is around you.

1. Print out the relevant Check It Out Challenge sheets:

3. Get out and about spotting arty things in the area you live

4. Get online and find out about famous artists, arts venues & classes from your area, etc

5. Try an arts activity online with our Creative Challenges or an activity you choose to do

6. Record on your sheets what you've seen/tried

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Send your completed sheet to us (email here) and you could win a prize!

INTRODUCING....

Crispin & Nathan

Crispin is a visually-impaired teenager who has spent some of his life in care. When he met and started working with Creative Mentor and theatre maker Nathan Geering as part of Derbyshire's Creative Mentors programme, Crispin discovered artistic skills he didn't know he had. Initially thinking 'the arts aren't for me', Crispin has since choreographed and performed as a BBoy and become a skilled contact staff artist.  Nathan and Crispin have now developed an accessible way of creating dance which blind people can participate in as choreographers, performers and viewers.  

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Watch these films to see Crispin in action and hear how he has journeyed from reluctant participant to skilled performer, as well as giving some stuff a go yourself.

Crispin featured on BBC's Strictly It Takes Two, talking about the massive boost to his confidence he's gained from learning to breakdance. Click here to watch (subscription to BBC iPlayer required) - the feature runs from approx. 7'30" to 11'30".

Interview

Crispin and Nathan chat about Crispin's first experiences of break dancing and becoming a multi-skilled performer

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Accessible choreography

See how a soundpad is used to create different sounds for different movements

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Creating a performance with audio description

See and hear Nathan describe Crispin's performance

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Crispin contact staff demo

Watch Crispin in action​

Handwrap tutorial

Crispin teaches you to perform a handwrap move. Give it a go!

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Public performance

See how far Crispin has come.

INTRODUCING....

Yusuf Paul McCormack

Yusuf is many things to many people. He is an Artist, Poet, Writer, Author, Trainer, Dad, Adopter and Foster carer, who spent the first 18 years of his life in the harsh environs of children’s institutions.

Here he was taught the lessons of shame, rejection, fear, silence and retribution. Remarkably, not only did he survive, he thrived.

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As a storyteller, Yusuf uses his art and poetry to voice and explore the emotions he was unable to voice as a child. "It’s been painful, but honest, reflecting a world that is talked about, just not fully understood, and where those that grow up in it know that something isn’t right, yet often remain unheard and unable to do anything about it"

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He uses his combined experiences as an artist and a child of the state, to inform and share with those who genuinely want to improve and sustain better outcomes for those who never chose their start in life. And he stresses it's not about making a difference, it's about being the difference, which is much more personal, less aspirational and probably more doable!

Introduction to Yusuf

Yusuf's artworks

Ty

Benedict Okwuchukwu Godwin Chijioke was born in London into an Igbo family from Nigeria. He spent many years of his youth in the care of private foster parents in Jaywick, Essex. "As kids we had no clue why we were here, and then my parents said 'we're going now, but you're staying', so we didn't know why we were being left here. And just feeling a little bit abandoned really."

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In the early nineties, he was discovered after competing at the open mic competition at Muthaland at the Borderline in London's West End. He continued to hone his skills and make connections and in 1995 co-founded Ghetto Grammar, a pioneer in Hip-Hop education in the UK, and went on to release a series of successful rap albums before diversifying into spoken word and contemporary jazz. In 2019, he was joined by Black Twang and Rodney P to form Kingdem, which the New York Times called a "supergroup of British rap elders". He sadly fell victim to Covid-19 in 2020 and is no longer with us, but his influence on Hip-Hop will live on.

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Check out his 2013 single Let's Start on YouTube. It's a multi-artform feast - great lyrics over a great riff, featuring interactive animated artwork, specially designed t-shirts and urban dance.

Let’s start

They say the sun don't shine forever
But I'm categorized as soft when my actions say I'm tougher than ever
Al Green let's stay together
Through a minefield of naysayers, see why I still endeavour

Nestled between a rock and a hard place
We cover more notes than a rock guitar case
I don't take any inspiration from Scarface
Never stood still, I even slip with a fast pace

Nat King Cole, unforgettable soul
That does not walk the path that Johnny Cash controls
Ring the bell but don't move for whom the bell tolls
Follow fashions need to run and sell clothes

No popularity contest, I'm trying to make meaningful music
My conquest designed to shake
Whoever's on it feel the sonic far and wide
Close the distance let's get real platonic... and roll

Let’s start

Pulling rabbits out of thin air is not my habit
Please, give me room, let me work my magic
No day off work straight through the Sabbath
Shake the dice and stroll past snakes and ladders

In a rush, give me the keys to the truck
The road to victory is peas to the mush
To fight the power becomes easy to us
In the midnight hour, we turn leaves into dust

Let's skip breakfast at Tiffany's
I'm trying to skip by what you're slipping me
Giving me false hopes of living vividly
Through dusty telescopes you hold timidly

Nahhh I refuse this weak imagery
Eating stale food is not obligatory
So let's start the dialogue
'Cos we're one people reporting to some kinda God... now... let's go

Let’s start

Rap now is a circus with clowns
Rap circles around

INTRODUCING....

Saira-Jayne Jones

Saira-Jayne Jones is an artist and poet born and raised in Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham and now living in Coventry, who spent much of her young life in care, developing her own creativity despite discouragement on all sides. With no formal art training or qualifications Saira-Jayne has become a successful self-taught visual mixed media artist, creating a variety of artworks reflecting contemporary, expressionist, abstract and conceptual styles.

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Introduction to Saira-Jayne

Saira-Jayne's artworks

Lemn Sissay

Lemn Sissay is a BAFTA nominated International prize winning writer. He was awarded an MBE for services to literature by The Queen, The Pen Pinter Prize and a Points of Light Award from The Prime Minister. Google “Lemn Sissay” and all the hits will be about him. There’s only one person in the world called Lemn Sissay.

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Lemn worked with care leavers in Coventry in Channel 4's Superkids: Breaking Away from Care. To mark second lockdown, we feature a brand new poem, No Lockdown in the Imagination:

THEATRE & CHARACTERS

Sensory - stories

Explore these wonderful sensory stories Here

Give it a Go - drama games

​Have a go at these drama games and activities on Connect and Create Here and warm up with actress Tonia Daley Campbell’s give it a go challenge Here

Make & Create - inside theatre

• Watch how Royal Shakespeare company create theatre Here and see a rehearsal from The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Here and Mathilda Here (YouTube)

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• Explore different types of theatre Here

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• Creating characters is often a part of stories, theatre and acting Here. Hear Vimal Korpal explain how he interviews guests and creates characters for his radio show Here

Make it Mine - deep inside theatre

• Dip into our Street Festival Tent and see how street theatre artists create their characters and acts. Can you create a character that could be appealing, mysterious and entertaining?

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• Try these great theatre activities from Bubble Theatre (click the image to download the pdf).

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• Listen to actor Bill Mitchell from the fabulous Kneehigh Theatre company talk about a new piece of theatre he is creating Here (YouTube)

Have a look through the varied roles and career pathways in theatre on our Career Pathways page.

VISUAL ART & EVERYDAY OBJECTS

Sensory - identifying objects

Have fun using different senses to identify everyday objects Here and Here (YouTube)

Give it a Go - recycled art

• Check out artist Claire Witcomb’s recycled art projects on Connect and Create Here

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• Try these using these everyday objects to create different painting projects on YouTube Here

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• Look at this Go & Look challenge on Create and Connects showing how different artists use stones in their art in differing ways on Here

Make & Create - art from everyday objects

• Check out the Visual Arts Tent at our online festival Here and explore the recycled and upcycled artworks that can be created from things that are thrown away.

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• Experimenting with different materials is an important and fun part of developing your own artistic preferences Here

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• Can you create a piece of clothing, art, music or a dance from everyday objects, using them in imaginative ways? What makes an artwork a quality piece? Is it personal opinion or is there more to it? Have a look Here, and see what you think!

Make it Mine - professional arts

• Everyday buildings can be made to look extraordinary by public art and graffiti. Look in our Visual Arts Tent and check out Trik 09’s work Here and also the amazing spaces that can be created by creative architecture Here. 

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• Research how design briefs are set Here

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• What makes an artwork a quality piece? Is it personal opinion or is there more to it? Have a look Here, and see what you think!

Careers

Check out  various careers in visual arts in the Visual Arts Tent Here and hear from artists Claire Witcomb - artist, Jon the Potter, Jamie Neville – graphic designer, David Brown – Graffitti artist in Connect and Create’s Career Pathways Here

COSTUME & BODY ART

Sensory-friendly Halloween costumes

by understood.org

Get some great tips here on creating Halloween and other costumes that work well for kids with sensory processing challenges.

Give it a Go - festival body painting

Check out the body painting demo by Cabasa Carnival Arts in the Body Art Tent at our Summer Festival Here. Could you design a face and shoulders decoration like the one in the picture? Why not send us your design?

Make & Create - carnival and fashion designs

Have a look at beautiful Brazilian carnival costumes Here

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Check out the work of island fashion designer Letila Mitchell on our Visual Art page (near the bottom). Now try creating your own patterns Here

Make it Mine - your costume designs

Are you a keen artist, or interested in fashion and costumes? Why not send us your designs? We've already featured designs from young people in the Gallery: check out designs by Paris, Lauren and Lewis.

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Feel free to use our Makeup & Costume design template below.

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Have a look at this brilliant insight into designing a fantasy character's costume.

Careers - how to become a costume designer

A fantastic guide at backstage.com on what the world of film costume design Here.

DANCE STYLES & INTERPRETATION

Dance styles

Make it Mine - Dance interpretation

Watch these three versions of a swan solo from Swan Lake:

• What parts or elements are effective in your opinion? Costume? Movements and body shapes? Patterns made by the dancers? The link between music and dance movements?

• Which version has the biggest emotional impact? Do you feel sad/interested/bored/entertained?

Check out the National Youth dance Company and how young people interested in dance can develop their skills Here

Career Pathways in Dance

Find out how these people have made dance their everyday job:

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• Shanelle Clemenson in our careers section Here

• Contemporary dancer Here

• Commercial TV dancer Here

• Choreographer Here

Which of these would you like to try? Can you copy one of the moves?

Dance styles through the ages

Book Recommendations

Jasmine a care-experienced young person in Dudley - has written about her favourite books, and suggests 10 you might try:​

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I can't really choose just one book because every book this author writes just seems to get better and better. So my favourite author has to be Cassandra Clare, every book she writes has a new and thrilling plot that just draws you into the book and the world she creates. She includes a range of different ethnicities and sexualities in her books that make it even more interesting. Her books always includes vampires, werewolves and warlocks but also discusses demons and Angel's. The books that she writes tackles a lot of difficult things, such as racism, homophobia and a lot of other things that just hits home. Every book that she writes is different and new and gives you plenty of reasons to love her as an author. I warn you though If your going to read any of her books you should always be prepared for an emotional roller coaster. Plus no matter what you'll fall in love with nearly every character she creates as each one is unique and has a special personality.

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Jasmine's Top 10 Book List

1) Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

2) City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

3) The Maze Runner by James Dashner

4) Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

5) The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare

6) Smart by Kim Slater

7) Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

8) Percy Jackson by Rick Riordon

9) Cirque du Freak by Darren Shan

10) The Magersterium by Holy Black

Chill Skills

from Artslink Awesome Arts Festival

On the final day of our summer festival we looked at Chill Skills, ways that artists unwind, chill out and de-stress.

Head over to the Chill Out tent and pick a few films from the collection to watch. See if you've tried any, or would like to.

Festivals

1. For younger festival goers

There are many festival held in the UK and in other countries. Have a look at these:

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• Bristol Balloon Festival

• Novstock The Hidden Valley Festival

• The Deer Shed Festival

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Which would you like to visit, and why?

2. For older festival goers

Research some festivals. Use these below or find others.

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• Shambala Festival

• Boomtown Fair

• Lamar Tree Festival

• Geronimo Festival

• Rhythm and Vines Festival

• Glastonbury Festival

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Who do you think is the target audience for

each festival? E.g. young people, families, children…..

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BBC

1. Being a BBC Production Apprentice

by Annie Chisambo

Annie talks about her background in local radio, and about what it's like to be a BBC apprentice.

Commissioned from the BBC for streaming by Artslink Connect & Create participants only. Please do not use for any other purpose.

2. BBC Young Reporter Competition

Open August - October 2020

A chance for 11-18 year-olds to share their unique stories with the BBC. This is the third year of this editorial opportunity and previous winners have produced reports with the likes of BBC Three, The One Show, BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live, Newsbeat, Newsround and the News at Six.

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All the details will be on www.bbc.co.uk/youngreportercompetition where at the moment you're still able to see some of this year’s winning stories.

BACK TO TOP

Crazy Cover Versions

Listen to these pop songs which musician Hildegard von Blingin' has transformed into medieval covers. Click Here

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Check out Post Modern Jukebox, who take modern day hits and transform them into 1920/30/40’s style performances. Click Here