The #WalkCreate Gathering is the final event of the research project Walking Publics/Walking Arts: walking, wellbeing and community during Covid-19.

The project explored how creative walking activities have been and could be used to mitigate social isolation and anxiety, maintain health and wellbeing, enhance social connectivity, and facilitate cultural empowerment.

For the past 16 months, the research team has been investigating:

• the walking experiences and creative interventions of people during COVID-19 restrictions.
• the ‘lockdown’ work of artists using walking activity within conditions of restriction.
• the potential of the arts to sustain, encourage and more equitably support walking during and recovering from a pandemic.

Walking Publics/Walking Arts is grateful for the support of our Project Advisor Carole Wright, Partners and Associate Partners: Arts Canteen, Glasgow Life, Living Streets, Museum of London Archaeology, Open Clasp Theatre, Paths for All, Ramblers Scotland, and Sheffield Environmental Movement. For further info, visit www.walkcreate.gla.ac.uk.

At the #WalkCreate Gathering we will:

• share our research findings on walking and creativity during COVID-19.
• host a series of ‘walkshops’ and presentations led by artists and Associate Partners.
• launch our Project Report on people’s experiences of walking during the pandemic.
• launch and demonstrate The Walkbook, a free resource to support creative walking and wellbeing.

It is aimed at individuals and organisations interested in exploring and understanding:

• the benefits of bridging walking and the arts
• creativity as a tool to engage more people in walking
• walking as a safe and creative participatory resource

The #WalkCreate Gathering takes place in person in central London on 18 May, and in a hybrid format on 19 May (East London/online).

You can join us for half days on Day 1, either full day or the whole of both days. A free vegan lunch and refreshments will be on offer as well as free print copies of our project report ‘#WalkCreate: understanding walking and creativity during COVID-19′ and ‘The Walkbook: Recipes for walking and wellbeing’. Attendance is free.

We recognise that walking does not only take place on foot but is also supported by wheels and other mobility aids. Resources created by the project and shared at this event include ‘walks’ for indoor spaces, the imagination and very short distances.

Access information for both days can be found here.

See the full programme and speaker bios here.

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Day 1

Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA), Mortimer Wheeler House, London

Wednesday 18 May: 9.30am-5.30pm

Focusing on creative walking experiences Day 1 is aimed at professionals and volunteers who deliver walks as well as arts, culture and heritage workers who are interested in engaging wider and more diverse publics in their activity through walking work. Accessibility is a priority for us, so attendees can also experience indoor artworks designed for those who may not be able to walk. Tickets can be booked for the morning and the afternoon, if you’d like to attend the full day then please book both separately.

Access information can be found here.

Programme Outline:

9.30 – 10.00 – Registration + refreshments

10.00 – 10.30 – Introductions, project overview & key findings: #WalkCreate Team

10.45 – 12.00 – The Walkbook walkshops (outdoors)

12.15 – 13.00 – Lunch

13.00 – 14.30 – Walkshop 1: Sheffield Environmental Movement and Jenson Grant (outside)

Walkshop 2: Areej Kaoud with Arts Canteen (outside)

Walkshop 3: Louise Ann Wilson (indoors)

Walkshop 4: Laura Fisher (outdoors/indoors audio walks)

15.00 – 16.30

Walkshop 5: Elspeth Penfold and CITiZAN/MOLA (outside)

Walkshop 6: Guen Murroni, Open Clasp/West End Women and Girls (outside)

Walkshop 7: Louise Ann Wilson (indoors)

Walkshop 8: Laura Fisher (outdoors/indoors audio walks) (outside)

16.45 – 17.30 – Refreshments & discussion: dialogue, exchange, connections, feedback

 

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Day 2

University of East London (UEL) and online

Thursday 19 May: 10.00am-5pm

Day 2 is a hybrid event and will focus on sharing the project research findings and the outcomes from four artist commissions. This day is aimed at walking, health and community organisations, and artists and researchers interested in, or working across, walking, culture, and participatory arts. Tickets can be booked for the full day at UEL or remotely online.

Access information can be found here.

Programme Outline:

10 – 10.30 – Registration + refreshments

10 .30- 11.15 – Project Presentation 1: Public experiences of walking & creativity in COVID19

11.15 – 12.00 – Project Presentation 2: Artists’ use of walking during COVID19

12.00 – 12.15 – Artists’ Gallery Slideshow

12.15 – 12.45 – Discussion/Exchange

12.45 – 14.00 – Lunch + The Walkbook Excursions (outdoors/indoors)

14.00 – 14.15 – Introduction to Artist Commissions

14.15 – 15.15 – #WalkCreate Artist Talks 1 & 2: Kate Green & Laura Bradshaw & Steven Anderson

15.15 – 16.15 – #WalkCreate Talks 3 & 4: Henna Asikainen and Shonagh Short

16.15 – 17.00 – Refreshments & discussion: dialogue, exchange, connections, feedback

 

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If you have any questions about #WalkCreate Gathering please email lnorthall@mola.org.uk