Absolutely Buzzing in Banbury. Gig-Arts Unlocked!

Throughout lockdown in March, April, May and June, Gig-Arts supported aspiring artists across Oxfordshire with a series of engaging live art and music online events: But this week marks a tentative step back into face-to-face fun and well-being that gives everyone a buzz.

 As part of its eco awareness vision, Gig-Arts is celebrating the work of bees, by inviting aspiring artists to make a splash with bright yellow paint. The theme of bees has been an eco-inspiration that links to ‘National Don’t Step on a Bee Day’ on Friday 10th July 2020.  

Our Artists, who face multiple health challenges, are starting to slowly venture outside following the Covid-19 unlock. Staying socially distanced and alert with face masks firmly in place, a small group gathered in Banbury to reignite the fun, face-to-face. The group enjoyed developing  their skills in painting outdoors in the fresh air; just like the famous Impressionist Artists who sketched and painted beautiful scenes outside.   

Abbie Cooke, Gig-Arts CEO, said: “ It was such a joy to see the Artists in person after so many months apart. During lockdown, we all stayed in touch daily online sharing jokes and doing drawings with felt tips and maintained our positive wellbeing with painting classes online. But it’s great that we can all enjoy direct social interaction again with our masks on safely.  We had a buzzingly artistic morning in Banbury and our head of music Jem Tyler joined us remotely online from London to sing Gig-Arts’ latest song ‘Take Time to Be Kind’; the whole reunion was very moving.”

Artist Lisa cheerfully said: “It’s been ages since we’ve been able to meet up. It was brilliant to be out and about with our Art!” Artist Karen exclaimed: “It was really good!”

Following the successful Bee Art in Banbury, Gig-Arts is looking forward to holding more morning ‘take-away coffee and creativity’ outdoor eco art classes throughout the summer in Banbury, Oxford, Witney and Chipping Norton.

For further information, contact abbie@gig-arts.org