In just three days time we will be hosting our first ever Midsummer Masquerade here at Inkwell so we have been busy making beautiful decorations, masks and preparing for the day.
The event will be a magical one, and is something we plan to develop further in future years. Colourful and imaginative masks, costumes, fairy lights and dressing up, not only to celebrate Midsummer’s Day but also the Olympic torch passing by. We also hope to raise funds for our art project so we can continue the valuable work we do in the Mental Health sector here in Leeds.
The interior space has already started to take shape and we have been busy making and creating this magical scene. Lighting will play a big part in creating the ambiance, with coloured filters placed over the ceiling spots, paper cut outs and lots of twinkly fairy light. As always, our budget is tight but with a bit of ingenuity and plenty of art materials on hand, and of course a whole load of talented individuals and artists means we can come up with something quite unique.
One of the main inspirations for our Midsummer event were some beautiful masks made by one of our very talented resident artists Josie. Her masks provided us all with a vision and how the event should feel.
Josie’s beautiful mask
Another mask by Josie
More masks made by Inkwell artists.
To continue the ‘magical’ theme the space has been decorated with twigs and branches from the garden which have created an enchanting screen display of lights and flowers. We all love the twigs so much that they may become a permanent fixture (or at least until our next event!) Cascading paper cut outs drape over the lamps and ink painted screens also add some vibrant colour to the lamps inside.
More work is planned but will take place over the next few days so it doesn’t interfere with classes too much. It might prove a little challenging teaching with a tree in the middle of the room! These twigs cost virtually nothing to make. After a rummage in the Craft Cafe cupboard, jewellery wire was used to fix them upright and pretty artificial flowers were raided from the floristry supply drawer.
Twig screen complete with fairy lights
We took the opportunity to give the art space a tidy and spruce up. The paint splattered work tables were scrubbed down and Inkwell is looking all shiny and new!
Simple paper cut leaves draped over a paper shade
Paper cutting is an extremely skilled art form in itself and due to time constraints an extremely simple version was used to great effect to add a lighting effect to the paper floor lamps in the main art space.
More ideas to decorate the space are in the making. It’s going to be lovely to see all these different elements come together for the big event and will surely help create a magical Midsummer’s day for everyone.
Back to homepage…..
