United We Stand � that�s the message from Worthing Community Arts Council after bringing arts groups together under the We Love You banner.
Showing just how much can be achieved when a number of like-minded groups and individuals come together, Worthing�s arts groups staged a number of events on Valentine�s weekend. Co-ordinated by Worthing Community Arts Council, We Love You showcased the work of five of its members - RAG, Rainbow Theatre, Fairground Booth Theatre Company, West Sussex Writers� Club and The Textile Arts Forum.
The three-day festival began with a talk by Elizabeth Bailey of Harlequin, Mills and Boon at West Sussex Writers� Club�s monthly meeting, continued with a RAG Roundabout event at the Acacia Guest House to launch an exhibition of work by artist David Cottingham, and culminated on Saturday 14th with the results of a poetry competition which received 150 entries across a wide age range.
In the morning the Richmond Room was filled with over 100 children and parents, who heard all the shortlisted junior entries read, either by the authors or Rainbow Theatre actors Andrew McGillan and Sarah Hellyer. In the evening another packed house enjoyed the adult shortlist and a musical interlude by Ross Muir of Fairground Booth.
Prize winners were Francesca Zoutewelle, Kelly O�Connor and Callum William Stannard (Under 18s) and Peter Reglar, Steve Carroll and Frank Hutchinson (Adult). Splash FM, Methvens, Optimus Books and Doyles Coffee Shop donated prizes. Worthing Community Partnership helped to sponsor the event alongside Worthing Borough Council Leisure Development.
Throughout the day The Textile Arts Forum�s wall hanging, depicting a poem by Wendy Greene, in sixteen different textile art forms, was on view. Those who missed it will have a chance to see it at events by Worthing Community Arts Council members in the coming months.
The aim of the event was to raise the profile of Worthing Community Arts Council, formed to support and encourage arts activities in Worthing and founders of the original Worthing Fringe. This success augers well for the next series of joint events in July.
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We Love You