Workshops Shine A Light on Traditional Willow and Diwali Arts

A series of workshops will be held over the half term holiday where families can make their
own traditional lanterns and then join hundreds of others in the Derby Lantern Parade next
month (November).
The workshops are part of the Derby Season of Light festival of activities, events and
performances taking place between September and December coincides with Diwali,
Bonfire Night, Hanukkah, Christmas and the preparations for Chinese New Year which all
share the common theme of light.
The festival has been spearheaded by Derby’s South Asian arts organisation Surtal Arts and,
this year, the will also mark the 75th anniversary of India’s independence.
Lantern making workshops are the opportunity to bring a touch of magical light to Autumn.
Led by artist, Kate Doncaster, participants are able to join workshops at different venues
including several at Derby Season of Light festival partner Museum of Making as well as at
Kedleston Hall, St James Centre, Derby Cathedral Centre and Derbyshire Chinese Welfare
Association.
The Diwali and Chinese themed lanterns will be made from biodegradable materials
including willow and tissue paper and lit with energy-efficient LED lights which will be held
up on bamboo sticks.
The lanterns will be carried triumphantly in the Derby Lantern Parade on Saturday
November ahead of Derby LIVE’s Christmas Lights Switch On event.

At the 700-strong Derby Lantern Parade, members of the public will join members of various
community groups and pupils from nine local schools who are making their own lanterns at
school with professional artists from Surtal Arts. The schools involved are Da Vinci Academy;
Parkview, Allenton, Firs Estate, Grampian, Beckett, Dale, Asterdale and Brookfield primary
schools and Alvaston junior school.
Further workshops have also been organised as part of the festival line-up – inspired by
South Asian festivals and traditions including Pipli textile lanterns made from pre-loved saris
which will then be displayed at the Museum of Making.
At other workshops, participants will get an opportunity to make and take home Rangoli, a
special traditional Diwali art, with renowned international Rangoli artist Ranbir Kaur; Shisha
(mirror) embroidery pictures and silk painting to make beautiful sun catchers.
The theme continues with a series of story telling sessions at various venues including the
Museum of Making and St James Centre in Normanton – bringing to life the beautiful
‘Mama’s Saris’ book through drama, gestures and props and at the end children can dress
up and ask questions.
Derby Season of Light is spearheaded by Surtal Arts, the long-established Derby organisation
rooted in traditional South Asian arts. They who are working with a wide range of partners
including Derby City Council, Derby LIVE, Derby Museums, University of Derby, Déda, Derby
Theatre, Air Arts, Fleet Arts, Number Twenty Eight and Belper Town Council, with funding
from Arts Council England thanks to National Lottery players.
Surtal Arts’ chair Nisha Nath, who is a celebrated South Asian dance artist, explained: “The
workshops are a wonderful way for people across the city and county to learn more about
traditional South Asian crafts which are such an important part of the festival calendar.
“The lantern workshops are also a great way to become part of the Derby Lantern Parade on
Saturday November 12 which is an amazing extravaganza of dance and music from diverse
communities across the city – lit by hundreds of lanterns of all shapes and sizes which are
paraded through the city centre.”

To book a place on the workshops and to find out more about the other events, activities
and performances during Derby Season of Light, please visit
https://www.surtalarts.co.uk/season-of-light-2022-events