Plenty on offer for all at Touchstones
I RECENTLY caught up with Link4Life arts and heritage manager, Tom Besford, at Touchstones Rochdale.
Touchstones is not only a centre for arts and culture for our entire borough, but is also rapidly establishing itself on the national arts and culture map.
Tom was keen to point out that in recent months, the Arts and Heritage Service, which is based in the building, has been branching out and working across all four townships on several community arts and heritage projects including in Middleton, Falinge, Sparth Bottoms, Heywood and Littleborough.
Tom said: “Rochdale is a fantastic place with great history and creativity.
“Through expanding our work to new art forms and in new places, we are really enjoying creating vibrant and fun opportunities in communities throughout Rochdale.”
The offer outside Touchstones Rochdale is not the only thing which is expanding. Touchstones is branching out in many ways, as can be seen in the exciting new brochure for April to August 2017.
There is an increase in the number of theatre and music events, seeing the building open regularly in the evenings for the first time.
Alongside the usual programme of exhibitions, talks, local history sessions, art classes and community groups, we can see the very best studio theatre performances, monthly Friday night concerts, dancing, films and even mindfulness in the art gallery spaces.
This is all complemented by homemade cake, freshly brewed coffee, hot food, beers and wines in the acclaimed independent Art Café.
Tom went on to tell me about ‘an exciting new venture for children and young people’ Touchstones Youth Theatre and Touchstones Art Club, on Tuesday evenings from May for 10 weeks.
There will be three Touchstones Youth Theatre age groups: EXPLORE: 8-11, CREATE: 12-16 and DEVELOP 16-25. They will have the opportunity to develop a variety of techniques and styles, with themes directly taken from the vibrant exhibition programme on display in the museum and gallery spaces.
Touchstones Art Club will run alongside the Youth Theatre for young people aged 12 to 18.
Over 10 weeks, they will discover different art practices and moments in history through imaginative and collaborative hands-on art projects.
To book, visit www. link4life.org/touchstones, call 01706 924928 or pop into Touchstones Rochdale.
We shall be regularly in touch with Tom to keep you informed of all the upcoming activities, events and exhibitions.