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Tuesday, 14 April
This April we’re celebrating all things arty with World Art Day - and who better to spotlight than our Rural Hub Towns Team! Over the past three years, they’ve brought creative opportunities and inspiring projects to our communities, leaving us with plenty of joyful memories.
This year’s World Art Day theme, “A garden of expression: cultivating community through art,” perfectly reflects the work we’ve been doing across our five towns. It’s a chance to celebrate how art has helped each place blossom into a confident, creative community.
Our journey began with groundwork: listening, learning and building strong foundations. We took time to understand each town’s landscape - mapping local networks, speaking with residents, organisations, artists, community leaders and getting to know the relationships and possibilities that shape each place.
From there, we worked alongside communities to test ideas and explore a wide range of arts activities. This helped us build meaningful relationships, strengthen local power and form teams of residents and partners who now help shape and deliver the work.
These early stages were about planting seeds - investing time, trust, creativity and care. Now, we’re seeing what can flourish when that groundwork is done well!
The projects and partnerships emerging across our towns show that when communities are given space, support and shared ownership, creative activity can truly take root and blossom.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s now growing and thriving in each of our Rural Hub Towns.
Uttoxeter
Our programme in Uttoxeter has been consistently focused on the community’s love of their green spaces and global climate concerns. For the spring and summer of 2026, we’ll be deepening our roots into more outdoor events, connection and bond to the natural world and creativity.
Eckington
In Eckington we are widening participation on from large family events into Eckington Light Night 2027 - a free outdoor community event that uses colourful and brightly lit immersive art, installations and entertainment to banish the winter blues.
Ollerton
We’ve been proud to support local artists and creative groups across Ollerton, and we’re excited to see several recent collaborations showcased at the St George’s Day event on 26th April. Visual artist Victoria Rowe has worked with local embroiderers to create a piece celebrating Ollerton-born illustrator Kathleen Francis Barker. The Dukeries Choir has also co‑created a new song with songwriter Amy Kakoura, which will premiere at the event and be unveiled as an anthem honouring the town’s history.
Alford
In Alford, we’re delighted to celebrate the creative growth we’ve seen during our time in the town. A standout highlight has been our Tappin’ In group. After learning to tap dance, a friendly close-knit group of enthusiastic performers has emerged and they’ve continued meeting regularly. They shared their new skills with residents at a local care home over Christmas and are now developing a programme of activities and performances to tour more homes across the district.
For more information about Rural Hub Towns click here.
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