Hundreds of people are taking part in an exciting Matisse ‘crowd-art’ initiative being organised by Nottinghamshire County Council in the run-up to Easter.

A number of community groups are developing a series of artworks inspired by the artist Henri Matisse whose cut-out paper works have recently been a hit at the Tate Gallery in London. This was the final chapter of his career when Matisse produced his most spectacular cut-outs.

‘MatEaster’ celebrates Matisse during Easter and will be open in the Gallery at Rufford Craft Centre from April 3 to April 19 as an exhibition of community art. Alongside the exhibition are public workshop craft sessions being facilitated by professional artists where everyone can get involved for free 10.30am-4pm in Big Art Space at the Craft Centre every day of the exhibition. Items made during these sessions will then take pride of place in the exhibition.

A selection of the works made will tour to:

•Mansfield Library – May 18 to July 3
•Worksop Library – July 9 to August 10
•Beeston Library – October 2 to October 30.
Organised by county council Strategic Arts Development Officer Helen Ackroyd, in partnership with colleagues in Nottinghamshire libraries led by Claire Saribi, MatEaster is all about inspiring people to get involved in the Arts and to become the artist in this exuberant exhibition inspired by Matisse.

Councillor John Knight, Culture Committee Chairman at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “MatEaster is the latest community arts event being coordinated by the Rufford Craft Centre in partnership with libraries and a range of partner agencies across the county.

“Thousands of people took part in the very successful World War One Future Fields commemoration exhibition organised as part of the Big Draw initiative last year. This latest arts initiative is also proving popular at the library events taking place across the county and we look forward to the final exhibitions during the Easter holidays and beyond.”

Here is how different communities are getting involved:

• Throughout March Libraries around the county will be running MatEaster public workshops where anyone can come along and create a Matisse inspired work that will also become part of the Gallery exhibition. Visit: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/whatson to find out more.

• Artist Elaine Winter is currently working with REACH (A charity that supports learning disabled adults) in Mansfield, Newark and Southwell to produce see-through perspex panels inspired by the Matisse paper cut glass windows.

• Artist Jane Stockley is working with GCSE students at National Academy in Hucknall. The finished work will form part of their final course in Fine Art.

• Artists Sarah Manton is working with Millbrook Care Home; Jessica Kemp is working with Skylarks Dementia Care Home in West Bridgford and Anna Roebuck is working with Mencap Day Centres across Notts – each inspired by Matisse and create three pieces that work together once in the Gallery space including six foot high obelisks.

James Govinden, a Teacher of Art from the National Academy in Hucknall, whose students have been involved, said: “It was a great opportunity for the pupils to develop their GCSE coursework.

“The pupils found it challenging but all produced amazing work and they really benefited from working with a printing specialist like Jane Stockley. I am very proud of the pupils and they have all produced an excellent body of work that will really boost their portfolios.”