The fantastical dreams and magical memories of a Liverpool community are to be celebrated in unique fashion next month.
A dreamkeeping HQ is to be set up as part of a free family-friendly day of celebration, art and performances in the heart of the city’s Dovecot area.
On Saturday 3 May, Dovecot Dreamkeeping Society – a fictional organisation dedicated to preserving memories and dreams – will transform Hope Wellbeing Hub into Dreamkeeping HQ.
Dovecot Multi-Activity Centre will be supporting the day and there will be a few surprise pop-ups in local businesses and Dovecot Park.
Visitors can pop along to Dovecot Parade any time from 2pm-5:30pm to enjoy walkabout performances or to book a free space on one of the performance trails, which start at Hope Wellbeing Hub at 3:30pm or 4:30pm, go to: https://dovecotdayofdreams.eventbrite.co.uk
Meet weird and wonderful characters and encounter artworks – including mural by local artist John Culshaw – created in collaboration with over 300 community members of all ages from the Dovecot and Knotty Ash area, inspired by the dreams and memories of local people, gathered over a six-month residency led by artist Izzie Major.
Izzie and her team of Dreamkeepers have embedded themselves into the community, delivering creative workshops at The Drive, Hope Wellbeing Hub, Dovecot Multi-Activity Centre, Channy’s Youthy at Dovecot Primary Dovecot Primary, Knotty Ash Primary, Nex Gen Academy, Brookside Retirement Home, Deaf Active and Smarties YPAS North Hub. Watch a short film of the workshops here.
They have also invited local residents to join the Dreamkeeping Society. Following a series of drama workshops, these residents will be in character on the day. But don’t worry if you missed out because the Dreamkeeping Society still need your help as all is not well in their office in the sky. One of their most forgetful Dreamkeepers left an important file open overnight and some of the dreams have gotten loose! Book a place to join the mission to catch the lost dreams of Dovecot.
Dovecot Dreamkeeping Society has been commissioned by Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team as part of its Creative Neighborhoods programme and supported by the UK’s Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The public art commission delivered by John Culshaw was funded by UK Shared prosperity fund Local Neighbourhood Fund.
In the run-up to the day, John Culshaw will be holding a mural workshop on 13 April from 11am outside Dovecot Multi-Activity Centre, alongside a family fun day that takes place at Dovecot’s Hope Wellbeing Hub from 11am-3pm.
Artist Izzie Major said:
“Our project uses the weird and wonderful world of dreams to spark playfulness and creativity. It brings people together of all ages and all walks of life with a simple message: we are all artists and dreamers, we just need time and space away from our busy lives to come together and create, that’s what the Dreamkeeping Society is about. We’ve reached over 300 local residents with our workshops and now we want to make 3 May a fantastic day of celebration that showcases all the creativity and brilliant community initiatives we’ve experienced in the local area, we hope this day will be a building block of things to come.”
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, Councillor Harry Doyle, said:
“Over the last six months, Izzie and her team have been visiting community hubs, schools and care homes to creatively capture past memories and future aspirations, which residents can look forward to seeing represented at the finale celebration event. Sharing experiences, hopes and dreams can foster connections with others, creating a sense of unity and belonging and hopefully creating new memories together.”
Resident participant Susie Williams said:
“Myself and my children wanted to do something together as a family. My aim was to see my daughter gain more confidence as she is very shy. For my son I wanted him to gain more acting skills in a place he feels comfortable as he is deaf, so being able to join in with him was very beneficial for him as the sessions were visual too and so much fun for all ages. We all mixed in well together.
To do this as a family was a fun way for us all to bond and to watch each other develop and grow. I have seen my daughter confidently perform in front of a group which she would never do in the past. I have seen my son become more expressive and even perform this eagerly without needing encouragement to take part. This wouldn’t have been possible without Izzy’s support or her wonderful sessions. She is very patient, bubbly and welcoming and has many wonderful skills of making sure people of all ages, backgrounds and disabilities feel welcome and able to express themselves! We have learnt so much and look forward to more sessions.”
