Words and Craft: A Cosy Creative Session with Laurie Bolger + Barbara Majek

Get scribbling, sharing and crafting over a cosy cuppa with local artists Barbara Majek and Laurie Bolger.

The title Deptford Literature Festival in chunky black lettering outlined in bright yellow, sits on a background in blue and pale blue. It’s an illustration that includes an image of a hand with a pen, a closed fist, and the words ‘whose stories are told?’, ‘resistance’, ‘community’, and ‘history’.

Free to attend. BOOK VIA EVENTBRITE HERE. 

Local artists Barbara Majek and Laurie Bolger invite you to a feel good creative session, mixing visual arts with creative writing and mindfulness.

During this session, Laurie will guide you in creating poems and stories, and Barbara will help you turn your words into striking banner art.

Let’s get scribbling, sharing and crafting over a cosy cuppa!

Over the Spring, Laurie and Barbara have been running workshops with Elders from Entelechy Arts’ Meet Me at the Albany community. You can see their words and banners at Deptford Lounge.

Presented in partnership with Entelechy Arts and Meet Me at the Albany.

Access information:

  • All of our in-person events Friday-Sunday, including this one, will be BSL Interpreted for audiences that require it. For workshops, you will be asked when booking your free ticket if you require the services of a BSL interpreter. For all workshops where one or more attendees require BSL interpretation, we will arrange for an interpreter to be there.
  • This event is wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets.
  • Deptford Lounge has Changing Place facilities, an induction loop and assistance dogs are welcome. For more information: deptfordlounge.org.uk/access
  • A quiet space is available during the day at Deptford Lounge, in the Music Room, on the first floor.
  • If you require additional access provision in order to attend or take part in the Festival, for example, larger print handouts at workshops, or a scribe, please get in touch before the Festival day at: [email protected]
  • If you require assistance on the Festival day itself, please come to the Festival Hub in the foyer of Deptford Lounge where we will be happy to help you.

For more information about the access provision available, please visit: spreadtheword.org.uk/access-at-deptford-literature-festival

MORE INFORMATION AND BOOK TICKETS VIA EVENTBRITE

About the artists and parnters

Laurie Bolger

Festival artist


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Laurie Bolger is a Lewisham based poet, presenter & founder of The Creative Writing Breakfast Club. Her work has featured across Glastonbury, BBC, Channel 4 & Sky Arts & she has written & collaborated with global brands & charities including Choose Love, Mind UK, Nationwide, BBC Global News, TATE, The Southbank Centre & the RA.

Laurie was shortlisted for Young Poet Laureate for London, The Sylvia Plath Prize, Bridport & Forward Prize & was the winner of The Moth Poetry Prize judged by global laureate Louise Gluck in 2023.

Laurie's latest publications include Box Rooms, Makeover & Spin celebrating the resilience of working class women, community, kindness & love. Laurie’s full collection Lady is due to be published by Nine Arches Press next year.

Barbara Majek

Festival artist


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Barbara Majek is an artist and researcher working across diverse mediums to explore the stories materials can tell and the connections they create. Drawing inspiration from Yoruba mythology, storytelling, and oral traditions, her work delves into the interplay between personal and shared identities within the African diaspora.

Through tactile, mixed-media techniques, Majek bridges the physical and spiritual, weaving together past, present, and future. She is deeply interested in how histories and futures are preserved, revitalised, and shared as tools for transformation. Alongside her studio practice, Majek leads workshops and community projects, using art to inspire play and wellbeing, foster connection, and cultivate individual and collective imagination.

Entelechy Arts

Partner


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Entelechy Arts is a Lewisham-based arts charity. We produce vibrant cultural programmes created by and for the communities we work with, namely older people, those living with profound multiple learning disabilities, and those living in care environments, enabling them to play an active role in the creative life of their communities. We believe that sharing the stories and experiences of those who can often feel underrepresented fosters stronger communities, changes perceptions, and helps people live healthier, happier and more connected lives.