There are chances to get creative this half-term as part of The Big Draw celebrations.

The National Civil War Centre team in Newark has organised drawing sessions at Newark Castle and Vicar Water Country Park, Clipstone, as well as a chance to learn some graffiti art skills at two workshops taking place at the centre itself.

The arty activities start on Wednesday 19th October with a free, relaxed drawing event for all ages in Newark Castle’s grounds. From 11am to 3pm, visitors will be able to get inspired by the location to create their own artwork, with all materials provided. The event will be taking place alongside a book launch for new children’s story The Magnificent Moon Hare and The Ghostly Goings On and author Sue Monroe will be at the castle offering fun interactive story sessions as she reads aloud from her book at 12pm and 2pm.

On Thursday 20th October, the team will be taking the drawing session to Vicar Water Country Park, where visitors of any age are invited to join in and use the materials on offer to draw, paint and create from 11am to 3pm.

The Big Draw lives up to its name on Saturday 22nd October with the chance to create fun artworks on a larger scale at graffiti art workshops. Taking place at the National Civil War Centre, these hands-on sessions are recommended for ages 12 to 16 but open to all and offer participants the chance to make a graffiti board to take home. Attendees will learn techniques to design their own graffiti letterforms, and then go on to create their own individual piece of A3 street-art-inspired artwork using spray paint and graffiti paint markers.

The two-hour sessions, at 10am and 1pm, have limited availability so should be booked in advance for just £9 at <a href=”http://www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/seedo/events”>www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/seedo/events</a>.

Coun Rhona Holloway, portfolio holder for Economic Development and Visitors at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “The Big Draw Festival is a wonderful national event and I’m so glad that we are taking part again this year, offering vital opportunities for residents to explore their creativity and expression together. With events taking place in some of our stunning indoor and outdoor spaces, it’s also a chance to appreciate and be inspired by these locations and a great opportunity to explore our district this half term”.

<strong>The National Civil War Centre will also be offering free entry throughout half term for Newark and Sherwood residents who can enjoy family trails and play throughout its galleries. For more information, visit <a href=”https://www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com”>www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com</a>, and to find out more about The Big Draw and other activities happening nearby, visit <a href=”https://www.thebigdraw.org”>www.thebigdraw.org</a>.</strong>