Creative Ways Outdoors
animated walks and processional events
specialists in carrnival - UK and International
A lifelong career in outdoor participatory arts and carnival, a private passion for hiking and adventure travel, Chris Slann and Frankie Goldspink bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to your projects, arts development plans and creative ambitions.
What we do
WALKING
Walks leading, planning, animating, engaging heritage and culture
CONFERENCING
Speaking, presenting,
advocacy, consultation and partnerships
CARNIVAL
International collaboration, training and education, event management
About us
Carnival and Arts Experience
Carnival & Arts experience
Former local authority Arts Development Officers - Luton Borough Council (1989 -2002) and Isle of Wight Council (2002 -2011). More recently, founder members and Executive Directors of the New Carnival Company (Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation 2012-2022).
Organised Luton International Carnival from 1990 to 2001 and the schools’ carnival event Isle of Wight Mardi Gras (formerly the Arts Parade) from 2003 to 2020.
Established Luton Carnival Arts Development Trust 1999, (the UK Centre for Carnival Arts), and The Carnival Learning Centre Isle of Wight 2008. Developed the first nationally accredited carnival arts training programmes with awarding body NCFE.
Developed international carnival partnerships with Rio Carnival Brazil, Viareggio Carnival Italy, Junakanoo Bahamas, Nice Carnival France, Massafra Carnival Italy, Gabrovo Carnival Bulgaria and more.
Visited (and sometimes took part in) all the above, plus Trinidad Carnival, New Orleans Mardi Gras, Mexico Day of the Dead, New York Halloween Parade, Dominica Caribbean Carnival, Olinda Carnival Pernambuco, Venice Carnival, Las Fallas Spain, Fastnacht Switzerland and more.
Founded Carnival Network South 2008 and the Southern Carnival Alliance 2021, facilitating co-delivery, training, conferencing and touring opportunities.
We are project managers, fundraisers, conference co-ordinators, speakers, trainers, and mentors. Specialists in inclusion and community arts development.
Overseas walks experience and adventure travel
Two times around the world
Trekked the Inca Trail, Everest Base Camp Trek, the Huayhuash Circuit Peru, The Lost World (Roraima) Venezuela, The Tour de Mont Blanc, Annapurna Sanctuary Nepal, Simeon Mountains Ethiopia, Hilltribes of Vietnam, Tongareiro Crossing New Zealand, Markha Valley trek Ladakh, Camino de Santiago Spain, Lycian Way Turkey, various walks in India, Sri Lanka, Canada, Morocco, Costa Rica, and across Europe.
Travelled Round the World twice.
Walked The West Highland Way, the Coast to Coast, the South Downs Way, the Dales Way, the Cumbria Way, Hadrian’s Wall Path, currently walking sections of the SW Coast path.
Completed all the Wainwrights 214 Lakeland tops in 2007.
Chair of Isle of Wight Ramblers Association 2022 to 2023.
Chris and Frankie's Creative Ways
with people, places, participation and celebration
Creative Ways of animating outdoor spaces and getting people active and learning about their local environment
We have experience of managing Kite Festivals, Environmental Arts Festivals, and producing animated Trails and Site Specific work for partners such as AONB, National Trust, the Wildife Trust and local authorites.
Creative Ways of making carnival and street parades, especially by engaging schools and thematic work
We have a lifetime of learning and experience to share from running Luton International Carnival and other national events to developing the Isle of Wight Mardi Gras, the Uk's leading carnival in education project
Creative Ways to animate night skies and colour the streets with lanterns and festive celebration
Illuminated sculpture gardens, lantern parades and fireshows. We've done them all. With masses of community participation, leader training and skills sharing to create relevant and sustainable events.
Creative Ways to work together, involving people and partnerships, managing networks and collaboration
We just love creating and supporting networks, being joined-up is more powerful. We work nationally (eg with Carnival Network South and Greener Carnival alliance), and locally with our Cultural Education Partnership.
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