Exeter Library gears up for a weekend of action with Fun Palaces 2018

Exeter Library is gearing up for an action-packed weekend full of fun and frolics, with the annual Fun Palaces celebrations. Fun Palaces is a free, nationwide campaign taking place on 6th and 7th October 2018.

Libraries Unlimited, the charity responsible for running Devon and Torbay Libraries is committed to providing culture for all, and this year 31 of the charities 54 libraries will be holding their own free Fun Palaces for all to enjoy.

Fun Palaces promote community at the heart of culture and culture at the heart of community, through an annual weekend of action created by, for and with local people. Those hosting Fun Palaces are encouraged to combine arts, craft, science, tech, digital, heritage and sports activities to bring people and communities together. The events and activities are led by local people for local people, sharing their own passions and skills, as a catalyst for community-led transformation, with active participation for all ages.

Exeter Library is hosting its third annual Fun Palace this year and organisers have pulled out all the stops. Exeter based printmaking experts, Double Elephant will be running Letterpress workshops in the Children’s Library from 9-12noon on Saturday 6th inviting visitors to create their very own library or book inspired posters.

FabLab Devon, located within Exeter Library will be hosting a drop-in laser cutting session and Urban Sketchers Devon will take up residence in the library foyer from 10am – 1pm on the 6th for visitors to join in, encouraging them to tell stories through drawings, inspired by their surroundings, places, and travel.

Fun Palaces visitors can join WEA Adult Learning Within Reach and learn about the history and tradition of Mandalas and contribute to a piece of community piece art. This session provides the opportunity to create individual mandalas to take home.

The fun continues on Sunday 7th with the Go On Do Us A Turn family workshop with Rhys Slade-Jones. Children will be encouraged to create a performance on their own terms, whether it a moving ballad, a ballet performance or simply the star of their own show, the library is their stage. Adults will love watching their littles ones and a chance to remember what they’ve forgotten.

Rachel Gee, Libraries Unlimited Service Development Manager said: “Libraries Unlimited first joined the Fun Palaces campaign in 2016 and it has been inspiring to see it grow in Devon ever since. Visitors to our libraries can expect everything from taking part in Tai Chi to making their own smoothies using a bike! Each participating library has something fun, free and community led. We love everything about Fun Palaces at Libraries Unlimited, not only do they bring people together, but they help communities to make positive change, share new skills and give everyone access to culture, art, science, technology and much more. We’re incredibly pleased and proud of all of our libraries that are getting involved in this year’s activities and we look forward to seeing lots of people in our libraries.”

Since 2014 a total of 934 Fun Palaces across the world have been made by 24,000 people (‘Makers’) with 340,000 taking part. 2018 marks the fifth Fun Palace weekend and is set to be the biggest weekend yet.

A full list of timings and other events can be found on at devonlibraries.org.uk or by visiting the Fun Palaces website www.funpalaces.co.uk