ARTS WEEKENDER Go Weston

GO WEST Not since Dismaland have we been so persuaded to visit Westonsuper-Mare – and even better, the new Weston Arts and Health Weekender is far easier to get into…

Bristolians have been visiting Weston-superMare since before the arrival of the railways. It’s always offered a great day out for kids and an uplifting break for their grown-ups, while retirees often chose to settle here, where they could see the sea.

In 2015, Banksy’s Dismaland invited an international and younger crowd to look anew at the traditional kiss-me-quick kitsch through an arty lens. Most recently, North Somerset Council asked local people to think about how their town should be shaped in the 21st century; over 5000 residents have since shared their ‘Weston Wishes’. As house prices in Bristol continue to soar, Weston-super-Mare is fast becoming a primary destination and go-to resort.

And now, just in case its bucket-and-spade, fish-and-chips delights were not enough to lure you down, we are all invited to the new Weston Arts and Health Weekender. So what’s it all about, then?

We now know that simple things like daylight, fresh air and outdoor exercise can help us to stay fit and get well. Those who spend their weekdays indoors staring at screens need easy access to big skies at weekends. There is also scientific evidence that doing an engaging activity in good company can boost moods and support mental health. What the medical profession calls ‘social prescribing’ helps by making links between individuals in need and organisations that offer meaningful experiences in supported environments. Fortunately, Weston offers plenty of opportunities to busy our bodies and employ creativity, as well as wide horizons to help us empty our minds of stress. Hence this pioneering new three-day event, showcasing these links between place, the arts, and health. The festival marks two significant events; the joining of two hospital trusts to form

9 Million Nobodies draws on real life experiences to explore loneliness, social isolation, and what it means to be human in a world of decreasing community

Luke Jerram will be creating a bespoke artwork near the pier. Luke was once described by a New York TV show as “probably the most famous artist you’ve never heard of”. Well, we’re from Bristol; we’ve heard of him alright

University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, and the launch of Culture Weston, a new initiative that promotes cultural and heritage-based activity as a vital part of the town’s life, supported by North Somerset Council and Arts Council England as part of their commitment to arts and culture as a central element of the town’s future identity and growth.

The Weekender offers over 50 events, from outdoor arts, including internationallyacclaimed acts, to performances and activities indoors.

Headline artist Luke Jerram, whose Museum of the Moon has been seen by over 10 million people worldwide, will be presenting his own take on the arts and health theme. Subject to weather conditions, Luke will be creating a large-scale bespoke outdoor temporary artwork near the pier, solely for the duration of the festival.

There are opportunities to play beach volleyball and join in with wild swimming; if that sounds a bit too energetic, on Saturday, on the roof of the Sovereign Centre, you can be serenaded by the soothing sounds of the Sing With Soul choir as the sun sets over the sea. There’s plenty more going on at such venues as the Blakehay Theatre, Loves Café, The Stable, Weston Museum and the Library, where visitors can expect dance, theatre, music, poetry, storytelling, heritage and food.

Look out for a mural by Andy Council, poetry by Beth Calverley, music from North Somerset Music Service and green spaces to enjoy. In Dolphin Square, Paul Blakemore’s photo exhibition Shifting Horizons will explore the endless possibilities that roll in with the tide, and at the Sovereign Centre, North Somerset Artists will be creating an exhibition and Empathy Room in a pop-up shop. Those who enjoy exploring new neighbourhoods can pick up an arts trail, but if you just fancy a nice trip to the seaside (with benefits), look out for arts therapist Helen Wheelock, who will be getting creative with sandcastles to interpret seaside memories shared by residents of care homes. The Weston Art and Health Weekender is a first. The organisers hope it will be the first of many. Take a deep breath, and dive into this refreshing and uplifting programme. The Weston Arts + Health Weekender takes place 3-5 April For more: www.cultureweston.org.uk “North Somerset Artists will be creating an exhibition and Empathy Room in a pop-up shop”