ArtsFest

If you've ever wanted to learn how to create your own life-like puppets from materials you've got lying around the house, or are curious to see Melanie at work, then pop along to the Craftspace Stand in Victoria Square.

David Beckham and the Footballer cat

As well as seeing puppets being made and having a go yourself, you'll be able to see some of the work created through Craftspace projects.

Craftspace (the Birmingham based Crafts Development Agency) has been working with year two children at Chandos School as part of the 'A World Imagined 2' project.

Get crafty

During the project the children and their families worked with Melanie Tomlinson and Jo Lawrence to create their own puppet based animations.

Puppets

The aim of the project was to build self confidence in the children, many of whom had only just arrived in the UK and enable them to express themselves through the characters they had created.

Melanie is looking forward to showing off some of the creations by the children as well as delivering the mammoth two day workshop at ArtsFest.

She said: "It was fantastic to work with the children on the project - their enthusiasm was infectious and they should be very proud of the amazing puppets they created.

"I'm looking forward to bringing the joys of puppet making to a larger audience at ArtsFest in a workshop which promises to be fast, fun and funky."

"Off Our Trolley"

Crafts galore

There will be lots of crafts from stone carving to flag making in the Victoria Square Arts Marquees, and don't forget the ever popular Carnival Arts Marquee in Brindley Central Square.

For more details see the official ArtsFest website.