Enjoy a Creative Summer with Ogier and Jersey Heritage

Families can enjoy a host of creative activities with Jersey Heritage this summer as the charity's Creative Summer programme, sponsored by Ogier, returns for 2024.

Creative Summer will run for five weeks over the school summer holidays, starting on Monday 22 July and finishing on Friday 23 August 2024. Activities will take place across the island's castles and museums, and will include art, collaging, pottery, Wild Play Days and flag making.

Kate Kirk, Ogier's marketing director, said: “We’re excited to have partnered with Jersey Heritage to offer a series of family learning events packed with activities across the year. We can’t wait for Creative Summer to begin – such great opportunities for families to have a fun, creative day out at the heritage sites, while also learning about our island’s culture and history, is something we’re proud to support.”

The experts involved in Creative Summer this year are artist Kelly Eastwood, graphic designer Kirstie Anne Fulton, ceramicist Lindsay Rutter, naturalist Stephen Le Quesne, and artist, teacher, and wellbeing practitioner Sara Job. Their daily sessions run from 11:00-15:00, Monday to Friday during their respective week of activity.

Nicky Lucas, Jersey Heritage's Community Events Curator, said: "Our Creative Summer programme is a fantastic opportunity for families to spend time together while engaging in fun activities and enjoying our beautiful historic sites, hopefully in the summer sunshine. All the activities are expert-led, and we are delighted to be working with such talented islanders to share different ways for children to be creative.

"From bright paintings and a vibrant communal collage, to making patterns with clay, playing outdoors and making flags, there will be something for everyone to enjoy and we hope families will be inspired by the historic settings around them, as much as the activities themselves."

Creative Summer events are drop-in activities, all the materials will be provided, and no booking is required. The sessions are suitable for all ages and abilities, but children must be accompanied by an adult. The normal entry fees apply with free entry for Jersey Heritage members and children under the age of six.

The 2024 Creative Summer programme

The daily drop-in sessions run Monday to Friday each week, from 11:00 – 15:00. 

Creative Castle

Elizabeth Castle, 22-26 July

Elizabeth Castle will be a riot of colour and creativity with artist Kelly Eastwood at the helm of the first week in the Creative Summer programme. Experienced at delivering exciting, creative workshops, Kelly is passionate about making art that is bright, fun and accessible to everyone. Jersey Heritage will provide the crafting materials and clean up – all you have to do is turn up, join in and make something amazing.

Collage Your Castle

Mont Orgueil Castle, 29 July- 2 August

Join a playful and experimental take on collaging at Mont Orgueil Castle, with textile and graphic designer Kirstie Anne Fulton. Inspired by nature, Kirstie’s current passion is illustrating wildlife using textural collage techniques to produce vibrant pieces of artwork. Alongside a large communal artwork for visitors to work on together, there will be the opportunity to create something individual for you to take home.

Going Potty

Hamptonne Country Life Museum, 5-9 August

We’re going potty for pottery with ceramicist Lindsay Rutter this week, taking the natural beauty of Hamptonne as inspiration. Using found materials, Lindsay will show you how to add expression and create patterns to decorate your own personal nature-inspired masterpiece. Lindsay is an accomplished potter whose joy of working with clay is infectious and will leave you wanting to learn more.

Wild Play Days

Hamptonne Country Life Museum, 12-16 August

Wild Play Days at Hamptonne are perfect for connecting with each other and nature through crafts, skills learning and free play. Each day will be led and supported by naturalist Stephen Le Quesne. Stephen is a forest school and bushcraft leader with a passion and interest for outdoor play. He provides the materials and the guidance, enabling children and their adults to create the activities and the play that follows. All the inspiration you need to explore the natural world in a new way.

Feeling Flags

Hamptonne Country Life Museum, 19-23 August

Fly that flag of how you're feeling at Elizabeth Castle for the final week of Creative Summer. How does the castle make you feel? You won't have to share this out loud but will be using your emotions and senses to create a flag with colour and mark-making that reflects how you are feeling. Artist, teacher and wellbeing practitioner Sara Job will be leading two 90-minute sessions each day that will guide you on a journey around the castle, ending in a creative response.

The 90-minute guided sessions, beginning at 11:00 and 13:00, are suitable for children aged 8+. There will also be alternative activities between 11:00 and 15:00 for all ages and for those who choose not to commit to a guided session.