Blue

We had a wonderful trip to Heritage Quay on Wednesday 9th July to see an exhibition of artwork created by hoot participants, accompanied by music inspired by the pieces on display.

The exhibition, influenced by Leonard Baskin’s powerful ink drawings, was a celebration of creativity and expression. We invited participants, along with their family and friends, to come and enjoy the showcase.

It was such a warm and uplifting afternoon, filled with admiration for the incredible artwork from our visual arts groups and the beautiful music composed by our music group.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, to our amazing staff and of course to Heritage Quay: University of Huddersfield Archives for providing the perfect venue for the exhibition.

Take a look at some of the pictures below and hear the music created to accompany the exhibition.

Thursday 12th October at 6pm 
The Lightbox @Barnsley Libraries 

We're thrilled to be running our October Speak Our Music session at the Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance’s national conference 

Speak Our Music is a relaxed space to talk about all things music, mental health, and wellbeing. If you’re interested in music and the music industry, you’re welcome to come along.  

Sessions are hosted by an experienced artist who demonstrates their speciality and hosts a discussion about how music impacts our mental health and wellbeing. 

Alongside our artist hosts, some of our regular session attendees will also be on hand to facilitate the event bringing their personal knowledge and experience from previous discussions in the programme.  

The Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance conference is a three-day conference for people who are interested in creativity/ culture, health and wellbeing and working collectively to bring about social change.  

This could include those with lived experience, freelancers, arts, culture and heritage organisations, as well as researchers, health professionals and those from the local authority, voluntary and community sectors. 

If you think you might be interested in attending the conference visit the Eventbrite to read more and book tickets. 

https://www.culturehealthandwellbeing.org.uk/  

The Big Draw Festival 2022
Come back to colour

Make your mark and draw with us on a giant piece of paper using natural materials, home made inks, and a plethora of inspiring plants. Together we'll create a huge communal drawing celebrating coming back together and using colour.

Wednesday 26 October
1 - 3pm

West Yorkshire Print Workshop The Piazza Centre, Huddersfield, HD1 2RS

FREE entry
 

hoot creative arts welcome new health & wellbeing co-ordinator ahead of Kirklees Year of Music 2023

hoot creative arts has welcomed Sharleen Shaha into the team as a Health and Wellbeing Co-ordinator and Producer for Kirklees Year of Music 2023 (KYOM23).

hoot is an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation and in 2020 were appointed as the Health and Wellbeing lead for Kirklees Year of Music 2023 - a unique, place-based, cultural change year-long programme of major events and durational initiatives, which will strengthen the music ecology of Kirklees from its roots. 

The recent appointment will initiate and bring together the production of music events and wellbeing activities for KYOM23. Sharleen will focus on developing activities and events with the aim of improving the health and wellbeing of those across the region who take part through engagement with music.

Collaborating with stakeholders in the health and care sector and practising musicians and cultural organisations, Sharleen will be developing a working programme, securing funding and liaising with the KYOM23 team to strategically link all the strands together, such as the community and educational work and celebrate innovative practice in the Kirklees.

Sharleen is a qualified Independent Mental Capacity Advocate and Independent Mental Health Advocate. She has worked in Mental Health for 12 years across South and West Yorkshire, with experience in mental health and art therapy, research and project management as well as producing events for festivals.   

Commenting on her new appointment, Sharleen said: “Mental health and wellbeing are very important to me so working with the people of Kirklees to promote music as a tool for wellbeing is very exciting. I am an advocate for choice and working-class storytelling. I feel that theatre, music, and the arts can be used as a tool to make changes for individuals and communities”.

Find out more about Sharleen and other members of the KYOM23 team here: https://www.musicinkirklees.co.uk/our-team/

hoot is open as normal but please take care on your journeys today and let us know if you can't make it. 

Stay safe & warm - the hoot team