A Guide to Gateshead Sculpture Day - A FREE Family Day Out | 30th September - Saltwell Park

*This is a paid collaboration with Gateshead Alive

If you're looking for something to entertain the whole family this weekend, look no further than Gateshead Sculpture Day. This year marks the event's 33rd anniversary and the theme is 'Around the World in 80 days'. I think the event's tagline says it all - 'Hammers, Wood, Nails....Make Things'. 

When is Gateshead Sculpture Day? 

Gateshead Sculpture Day takes place on Sunday 30 September at Saltwell Park between 11am - 4pm. There is no need to pre-book a place, simply drop in. Entry is FREE. 

What is Gateshead Sculpture Day? 

Gateshead Sculpture Day is a chance for the whole family to get involved with designing, building, banging, creating and constructing in Gateshead's Saltwell Park. This year's theme is 'Around the World in 80 Days' and the team would love you to create something based on the adventure. Ideas include:

• A hot air balloon
• Favourite landmark (I'm hoping to see some Angels of the North)
• A type of transport you might travel the world in
• A new species of animal or plant you may discover
• Dinosaurs in a forgotten land
• A book, bookcase, book stand or bookmark
• Postcards from your travels
• A magical map 
• Travelling instruments
• A special suitcase

The opportunities are endless and your creations can be as out-there as you like. The event is suitable for the whole family from babies to grandparents but please supervise children, especially when around tools.

The event is FREE to visit and you can check out the sculptures from around 1pm - I think this will be a thought-provoking place for a family stroll after Sunday lunch.  If you'd like to get involved with creating, all materials and tools will be provided at a very small cost (see below for more information).

How to join in with Gateshead Sculpture Day

First of all, you need to turn up at The Grove at Saltwell Park from 11am-4pm. The earlier the better as these things take time. Once you've decided what you 'd like to make, you can help yourselves to wood from the piles near the skips. 

You can buy nails from the information marquee for 50p per tub. If you need to hire any tools, there is a small £2 charge and £1 refundable deposit. Hammers and Saws will be given to adults only.

Then it's simply a case of creating your masterpiece. If you need any help, master sculptors will be around to assist or provide inspiration and there's a power saw available for cutting wood with staff on-hand to assist. 

Once you've finished, make sure you share your photos on Facebook and Twitter tagging @GatesheadAlive and using #SculptureDay2018 - the Gateshead Culture Team can't wait to see what you come up with.

If you've enjoyed your day, why not vote for Saltwell Park to win the People's Choice in this year's Green Flag Awards? You can vote here (closes 30 September, it takes 2 seconds and no data capture is required). 

What else is there to do? 

As part of Gateshead Sculpture Day, there are additional activities taking place in Saltwell Park on 30 September. These include: 

• Raku Pottery with Muddy Fingers Pottery

Using ancient Japanese techniques, you can paint and glaze your own tile, watch it being fired in the kiln and then take it home as a special memento of your day (£1 additional charge)

• Not Just A Pretty Face Facepainting

Face painting will be available by donation with all funds raised going back into Gateshead Sculpture Day.

• Foodie Pop-ups

Foodie pop-ups will be selling doughnuts, hot food and innovative Asian fusion dishes. There will be Vegan and Veggie options too and you're welcome to bring a picnic.

A few important rules 

• Tools will only be handed out to adults
• Remember to tidy your area once you've finished 
• Supervise children around tools
• You can donate your tool-hire deposit to Gateshead Sculpture Day - the money raised will be used to support future events

Facilities at Saltwell Park 

Saltwell Park is one of my favourite parks in North East England. There's lots to do inside of the park itself and you can really make a day of it. 

Facilities include:

• Two Play Parks
• Public Toilets
• Saltwell Towers Gothic Mansion
• Pet's Corner 
• Maze
• Walking Routes
• Bowling Greens
• Tennis Courts
• Rose Garden, Dene and Autumnal Plants and Trees
• Lake with Ducks, Swan, Geese and Wildfowl
• Sculptures around the Park 
• Boating Lake
• Cafe 

Find out more

• Check out the official Facebook event here
• Read about our trip to Saltwell Park by bus here
• Visit the Saltwell Park website here
• Find out more about Gateshead Alive events here 

How to get to Saltwell Park 

• Check out this section of the Saltwell Park website for details. 

If I wasn't jetting off to Majorca on Saturday, I'd definitely be popping along to this event. It looks like a fab day out for the whole family and I love that it's free/low-cost. I'll look out for photos across Social Media.......

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