The Art Playground

**Please note that the Art Playground is having a pause until April of this year due to the unavailability of the Red Pod Cafe. We hope you will join us then!**

Please help us to secure some grant funding to keep the Art Playground free and help us make improvements by completing this short survey: https://forms.gle/zmuQpZVywTeycC6a8

The Art Playground

Do you consider yourself artistic or are you scared to pick up a pencil? Perhaps you were told you were no good at art when at school? Perhaps you have children that love to get creative but dread the mess that comes with painting in your home?

The Art Playground is a community resource for people of ALL AGES to come together to play at making art (not just for children). Promoting creativity, community cohesion and wellbeing - forget about what things look like, just make some marks and leave them for the next person to add to or paint over if they like.

The Art Playground is a free community resource open every first Saturday in the month from 11am to 3pm at the same time as the RedPod Food vegan café which is onsite.

It is run on a voluntary basis and we would like to keep it free for everyone at the point of entry, but we do have costs to cover (and currently don't have any grant funding) so please consider making a donation by adding a donation ticket on Eventbrite or making a payment on the day - suggestion £5 per family but if you can't afford that much anything at all would help, or if you can afford more that would be very welcome too!)

To keep running costs down we also welcome donations of time by way of volunteering (email jamila@artmoorhaven.org with your offer of help) as well as donations of any art materials.

Here’s some examples of items you might like to donate:

- any art materials you no longer want

- left over house paints

- inks

- bushes and paint rollers

- plastic spatulas and scrapers

- plain or coloured paper, tissue paper or card

- wooden or MDF boards or canvases for painting on

- charcoal sticks, pencils or pastels

- old loose shirts or aprons

- old unwearable t-shirts that can be cut into rags

- anything else you can think of that could be used to make some art (but please don't bring anything breakable or potentially dangerous for children such as glass jars - if in doubt please speak to Jamila jamila@artmoorhaven.org - some items we keep locked away for use only with adult supervision). Also please don't bring toilet rolls (kitchen rolls are fine) and make sure everything is cleaned before donating.

Please wear old clothes or bring an apron as you may get messy. The hall can get chilly so please wear a few layers of warm clothing. Note that if you bring children with you, everyone has to make something - spectators are not allowed 😁

Directions: The Art Playground is based at The Clay Factory which is the building with the big chimney situated alongside the railway between Ivybridge and Bittaford.

When leaving Ivybridge heading towards Bittaford, turn left up David's Lane, BEFORE you reach The Clay Factory. This will take you over the railway, around the sharp right bend and then follow the road alongside the railway track, signposted 'Dartmoor Edge'. There is free parking alongside , in front of and opposite the building.

(The postcode is PL21 0EZ but please DON'T follow your satnav or it will take you to the wrong side of the building.)

It is an 18 minute walk from Ivybridge train station. It is a 10 minute walk from the nearest bust station at Davy's Cross (GOLD or X38 bus, get off in between Ivybridge and Bittaford).

The entrance is alongside the railway track, through fire door at the side of the building which is half way along, under the big chimney.

RED POD FOOD

The café serves delicious and wholesome plant based food cooked by William who is renowned for serving up delicious combinations of flavours using only the best of ingredients.

For the menu for the Saturday and details on how to order food in advance to help save food waste, please visit https://www.facebook.com/redpodfood

We would really appreciate you supporting the café since that means we don't have to pay any rent for use of the space.

I MPORTANT INFO - PLEASE READ BEFORE BOOKING

Children and Liability

Note that all children must be accompanied by a responsible adult and you are responsible for your children AT ALL TIMES. This is not a playzone where you can switch off and forget about what your children are doing - instead please get involved and participate in creating with your children. Everyone at The Art Playground is responsible for their own health and safety and that of their children when attending The Art Playground and using the art materials.

Creating - Not Sport

W hilst we understand that children will be children and get excited, we encourage creativity and reflection at The Art Playground rather than running around and letting off steam since there are plenty of other places to run around and get exercise. Please be aware that some of the children at The Art Playground may be sensitive to loud noise. Try to encourage your children to get involved in the making and please ask them to walk in the building rather than run. If they start to get noisy and very exited please ask them to calm themselves down.

Use of Sandpit

T hrowing sand is not allowed - please make sure your children understand this rule. Please note that there may be small items buried in the sand so take care with any small children to ensure that they do not put things in their mouths.

U se of Scissors

Please assist your young children when using any scissors at the card making area or elsewhere in The Art Playground, to ensure that they do not cut themselves.

N o Entry Areas

P lease don't let your children go up the 'no entry' stairs or elsewhere in the building other that the main hall, the cafe areas and the toilets. Please accompany your children when they visit the toilet.

M ind the Steps and the Door

P lease mind the small step when entering the main hall from the corridor with the toilets and take care that your children do not place their fingers in any door frames. Also take care when entering the building - we have started placing a ramp to the entrance to assist with any pushchairs but there is still a step down into the building at the end of the ramp.

D isabled Access

If anyone would like to attend in a wheelchair please ask for assistance when arriving since there are some roller shutter doors that we can open to enter on the level, or email jamila@artmoorhaven.org in advance. Note that the toilets are not full disabled access but we have installed a hand rail and toilet frame on one of the toilets which is currently used by a wheelchair user. There is a small step between the main hall and the corridor to the toilets, so please let us know if assistance is required to navigate the step. Food from the café can be served in the main hall wherever is most convenient for you.

Use of Car Park

Please note that the road to the car park is single track in places, but with passing places. Please drive slowly down the road, maximum 15 mph. Please watch your children carefully in the car park when walking from your cars to the building and ask them to walk, not run, since the path is uneven. Please enter the parking area with great care since there may be children walking from their cars to the building. Please park your car to maximise space since the car park gets full. Note that there is an overflow car park opposite the entrance, on the left hand side when you drive in, before reaching the metal fence gateway.

Tidying Up

This day is run by volunteers. We want everyone to take ownership of this event so please help tidy up at 2.30pm if you can.

Parties Not Allowed

It is important that you provide full and close adult supervision of every child in your care that you bring to The Art Playground. Sorry we cannot accommodate children's parties at this community event. For everybody's safety, we will have to refuse entry or ask you to leave if you bring a group of children that you cannot effectively supervise at all times.

Enjoy Yourselves and Make Friends

Most importantly, we'd like you all to enjoy yourselves and discover your creativity. Explore the different making areas in the room and help yourselves to all the art making materials - if you get stuck, just follow the children - they know what to do! If you can make an effort to have a chat to someone you have not spoken to before that would be wonderful as that will help us build a friendly creative community. Thank you 😊