'Once In A Lifetime' Animation Events At Wrexham Science Festival

The North Wales School of Art and Design at the North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI) has been heavily involved in organising a range of special animation events for the Wrexham Science Festival.
Throughout the Festival week (March 27 – April 4) there will be an exhibition entitled ‘The Cream of British Animation’ which for the first time in many years will bring together the work of three of the most successful companies in the field of stop-motion animation. Visitors will be able to see their favourite characters and learn how the puppets are brought to life on the screen.
The exhibition features work by Mackinnon & Saunders (Corpse Bride, Mars Attacks, The Sandman) and characters from Cosgrove Hall Films (The Wind in the Willows, Noddy, Little Robots, Postman Pat, Engie Benjy) and HOT Animation (Bob the Builder, Pingu, Brambly Hedge, Rubbadubbers).
The exhibition will be open from 3pm until 6.30pm on Tuesday March 27 the NEWI William Aston Hall and then from 10am until 6.30pm on week days throughout the festival and 10am until 4pm on Saturday March 31. The exhibition is not open on Sunday April 1. There is a small charge of £1 for adults to see the exhibition payable on the door, children and concessions are free of charge.
On Thursday March 29 there will be a lecture by Nick Roberson, Lead Sculptor and Painter at Mackinnon & Saunders. Nick Roberson is recognised as a highly talented sculptor. His talk will focus not only on such technological advances as the tiny mechanisms that allow puppets to “smile” in films such as “Corpse Bride”, but also the philosophy of creativity and the diverse craft skills that are open to animators within the industry. This will be a fascinating talk and is recommended for anyone who is interested in the art and craft of animation.
Ian Mackinnon and Peter Saunders founded their company in 1992. Since that time, Mackinnon & Saunders have developed into the leading puppet-making company with a world-class reputation for quality, design and technological innovation.
The lecture will take place at NEWI for schools at 1pm and is being run for members of the public at 7pm on Thursday March 29. Tickets are priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children and concessions and can be purchased by calling 01978 292015.
David Jones from the North Wales School of Art and Design has been helping to organise the events using the wide range of contacts that the School has with renowned animation companies.
“We are very excited to be able to bring HOT Animation, Cosgrove Hall Films and Mackinnon & Saunders to the Wrexham Science Festival. Everyone will know their work; from Dangermouse, Rupert the Bear and Bob the Builder to movies such as Corpse Bride and Mars Attacks” he said.
For more details of the events or to receive a full programme call 01978 293473 or visit www.wrexhamsf.com.
(SP)