PPL : Community groups plan Big Splash in Newport

Visitors to the Big Splash Festival taking place this weekend in Newport, South Wales, will see artwork created by local community groups.

The festival, which is free to all and offers a mixture of circus, street theatre, music and participation, is now in its eighth year.

Local artist Andy O'Rourke and staff from Newport Live have been working with youngsters from three community organisations to create and prepare large outdoor and sculptural work in an initiative sponsored by electricity business Western Power Distribution (WPD).

The three groups involved in the project are:

• Sparkle Craft Group, Serennu Centre. This is a purpose-built centre providing care and treatment for young people with disabilities and development difficulties. Youngsters are creating a freestanding butterfly banner for the festival;

• Clytha Park Primary School. The pupils do not have regular access to participation in art workshops, but they are creating an oversized interactive musical instrument;

• Dads Can Do. This is a group of men from Newport and Monmouth, many of whom experience isolation and mental health issues. The group are creating a pyramid sculpture.

WPD Corporate Communication Officer, Karen Welch said: 'WPD is always keen to support initiatives that encourage people of all ages to develop learning opportunities and encourage community participation through the medium of art.'

All three pieces of artwork will be part of the festival and on view this weekend. After the festival the work will be on display at Newport's Riverfront.