Behind the Scenes of the Lions at Large Artist Pop-Up

I spent the day at the Lions at Large pop-up at Gloucester Quays, and it was everything I love about being part of art projects that involve the community, colour, creativity, connection, and a whole lot of smiles.

The space was alive with energy. Children were busy making lion masks, painting their own mini lions, and getting creative in every corner. The wonderful Magda from the Knit and Knatter group, who created the beautiful woolly lion Cedric, was there too, running crafts for children and helping them make their own colourful lion masks. Her enthusiasm was infectious, and the masks she’d designed brought so much joy to the little ones.

The wonderful Tony from Tony’s Toons was there too, sketching caricatures all day, he raised over £200 for the Big Space Cancer Appeal and didn’t keep a penny for himself. Such generosity and spirit! I even came away with a caricature of my two boys, which I’ll treasure forever.

Artist Sam Morris was live-painting the most beautiful lion throughout the day. She invited everyone to swoosh colours onto the canvas at the start, and slowly, before our eyes, this incredible lion began to appear. My boys even got to add a few brushstrokes at the end, my youngest’s curls matching the lion’s mane perfectly!

It was also lovely to catch up with fellow trail artists Morgan, Trudy, Emily, Nicola, and Janine, all lending a hand, helping children paint, blowing up balloons, chatting with visitors, and adding to the creative buzz. The atmosphere was electric, full of laughter and shared joy.

Moments like these remind me why I love what I do, where creativity feels contagious and everyone, young and old, is part of something bigger.

For more information about the project visit - www.lionsatlarge.co.uk