Soapbox was a weekly artist-led session for children aged 6-14 who met at The Turnpike to explore the arts, build confidence and find their voices. Led by theatre practitioner and dramatist Verity Dow, the sessions evolved to incorporate a broad variety of art forms through engagement with professional artists. Summer schools and holiday activities incorporated poetry, performance, music and making led by artists from across the North West.
The Soapbox team also became our young art critics, presenting their own artistic responses to exhibitions and commissions at The Turnpike.
In 2020, the group merged with Creative Club, providing opportunity for artist-led summer schools including working with artist Megan Holland to develop a collaborative story inspired by nature. The results became a new co-created audio experience presented in collaboration with Lancashire Wildlife Trust.