The University of Southampton's annual opportunity to get hands on with arts and humanities-themed activities, crafts and events takes place in the city centre next month.
The family-friendly Arts and Humanities Day, on Saturday 8 November, will be held across venues in the Southampton Cultural Quarter.
More than 50 activities will be held predominately at the Sir James Matthews Building with additional activities at the John Hansard Gallery, Southampton Central Library and SeaCity Museum. They will include:
- Create your own cave art inspired by our ancestors
- A VR rhythm-based challenge using your head and eyes to make music
- Chinese lantern making
- 'Bring Your Bones to Life' by creating a skeleton marionette
- Workshops on Baduanjin, an ancient Chinese Qigong exercise
- Explore how Jane Austen is read in languages all over the world, on Austen's 250th birthday this year
- Turn a plastic milk bottle into a bird and learn about the Nightjar's migration
- A fact-finding mission at SeaCity Museum, then make your own Saxon brooches and modern-day badges.
The day forms part of Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival, which has been running since 2014. The Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival runs from Thursday 6 to Saturday 15 November. Events as part of the festival include:
- An online workshop on Finding Your Fictional Voice, led by Associate Professor of Creative Writing Toby Litt
- A performance by Jazz Sabbath, a trio led by Adam Wakeman who played in Ozzy Osbourne's solo band, that plays new jazz arrangements of Black Sabbath songs
- A guided heritage walking tour through Mansbridge
- An exhibition of Hartley Library through the ages.
Ben Littlefield, Head of Public Engagement at the University of Southampton, said: "Arts and Humanities Festival is a vibrant celebration of the people, stories, research, and creativity across our university and the wider Southampton region. Whether you're into gaming, music, archaeology, dance, or even Jane Austen, everyone is warmly invited to explore, discover, and connect over that question 'What does it mean to be human?'.
"This will be our second year of hosting Arts and Humanities Day in the city centre, and visitors will be treated to a sneak peek at some of the activities that might be at the British Science Festival when we host it in September. So, join us for this free celebration, feed your curiosity and let's get creative together!"
Arts and Humanities Day runs from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Tickets are free but must be reserved via Eventbrite . Visit the Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival website
