"That people will realise we all live on the same planet and we should get on with each other." "For world peace." "I dream for peace in Townsend."
These are some of the written dreams of Townsend residents who attended the 'Bright Sparks' lantern event which was the finale of the Townsend Arts Project.
Bournemouth Arts Development team in partnership with Soundstorm @ Dorset Music Service was awarded funding early in 2003 from the Bournemouth Children's Fund to develop a music and visual arts project with children at Townsend School.
This after-school project began in February with an arts party hosted by artists and musicians.
One group of young people opted to join a music project involving singing, drumming, dance and d-jing sessions led by London based performers: Rachel Calladine, Pete Eckford, Perry Louis and DJ Sneakee. After visits to a recording and dance studio in London the group prepared for a performance, for friends and family, of a new urban music suite with backing from British Jazz Award nominee Dave O'Higgins.
Another group, calling themselves 'The Bright Sparks', worked with artists Susan Sloan and Heidi Steller. They visited Hengistbury Head, the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London to stimulate ideas. They also showed off their favourite haunts in Townsend.
The project ended with two events, one in Bournemouth Lower Gardens and the other outside Townsend School. These were exhibitions of illuminated lanterns made in the shape of beach huts, flowers and animals. Visitors heard recorded voices, inside the lanterns, of the children talking about their lives in, and hopes for Townsend.
People were invited to write a dream and place it in the 'Ship of Dreams', while enjoying mince pies and hot punch. Apart from dreams of peace and happiness, dreams were for visits to Mars, big houses and mobile phones.
A DVD about the project is now available. Contact Gill Horitz, Bournemouth Borough Council Arts Development Officer, 01202 451805