December 2020 has seen a exciting collection of creative projects at Gig-Arts! Our ‘Painting Online with Purpose - POP’ events continue to go from strength to strength as attendance grows and our artists’ painting talents improve. It’s a warm fuzzy feeling to see so many of our artists’ parents on Zoom who also embrace the arty atmosphere online; as Gig-Arts becomes more deeply connected with whole families in the communities across Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.

Combating loneliness through creativity

Throughout December, we hosted a series of festive themed live online events. With music playing, and paint brushes in hand, our artists learned new painting techniques. It was brilliant to witness scores of our artists as they stretched their creativity by discovering how to give painted objects a shine. On the countdown to Christmas, talents sharpened and confidence and happiness blossomed. The regular POP Art slot on Zoom became a highlight to look forward to in the loneliness of the Covid-19 lockdown.

An innovative online approach to live theatre

Each year at Christmas time, we stage a Gig-Arts Show, usually in a town hall or theatre space where our artists take on the role of actors in a colourful live performance of art, music an dance. But, 2020 has been a Covid challenge. Indeed…Could our show go on? With Christmas in the air, it was time to adapt our approach! And so CEO Abbie Cooke concocted the first Online Puppet Panto where our artists with disabilities could join in “live” with their own hand-made paper puppets! The online panto was hailed as “ Goldilocks and the Christmas Bears”. Oh no it wasn’t, oh yes it was! The result was a joyful mix of jokes, tears of laughter and smiles all round! Oh no it wasn’t, oh yes it was! “It was brilliant! I thought it was brilliant!” said aspiring artist Lisa. Overall, the panto’s puppet-making workshop and the live interactive show with “Christmas bears” was a great success! There will be an encore next year!

Thank you to our Board of Trustees

As our year draws to a close, Trustee Beccy Rodger shares her message on behalf of the Board: “2020 has been particularly challenging for those of us with mental health challenges, learning and physical disabilities, but we have been able to keep our aspiring artists connected by taking our events online. Our artists created props and put on a wonderful zoom Christmas panto, "Goldilocks and the Christmas Bears" (oh yes they did!). HUGE congratulations Abbie Cooke and team, and everyone at the ICE Centre for a fun afternoon, my very own Christmas Bear and I had a wonderful time.”

Thank you creative collaborators

Heart-felt thanks go out to all our amazing collaborators in schools, colleges, day care centres, community groups! We miss seeing up close faces in person but we are here online and our passion buns to help aspiring artists with disabilities to shine!

Online Panto Photo - left to right - Abbie Cooke, Beccy Rodger and Caitlin Turner

Abbie with porridge bowls, polar bears and props ( and a helpful little dog and daughter waiting in the wings!)

Gary Cooke’s photo of the online panto in action!

Stunning branding for the panto by Gary Cooke

Paintings and paper puppets - A winning combination online!

December Gig-Arts - Festive family fun theatre online!

GIG-ARTS HELPS ARTISTS OF ALL ABILITIES TO SHINE