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OFFBEAT - 2026

Sian Watson and Ashley Thorpe were the 2026 Artist and Author in Residence for Inspire!

Artist Sian Watson and author Ashley Thorpe were selected as the 2026 Artist and Author in Residence. They co-created the Offbeat exhibition and workshops inspired by the Summer Reading Challenge theme, Read to the Beat.

OFFBEAT Exhibition

Artist and Author in Residence 2026. Offbeat. Web Banner Exhibition.jpg

In partnership with eleven of Inspire's twinned primary schools, Sian and Ashley used popular songs as a prompt to draw the rhythm, feel the music and bring stories, poems and puppet worlds to life!

Thank you to:

  • Arnold Mill Primary & Nursery School
  • Eskdale Junior School
  • Greenwood Primary & Nursery School
  • Hallcroft Infants & Nursery School
  • Hucknall National C of E (VA) Primary School
  • John Blow Primary School
  • Lowes Wong Anglican Methodist Junior School
  • Priestsic Primary School
  • Robert Miles Junior School
  • Sutton Road Primary School
  • Worksop Priory C of E Primary Academy

Offbeat Exhibition Dates:

Beeston Library Gallery: Saturday 11 July - Sunday 6 September 2026 

The exhibition wall featuring a large cardboard puppet and photographs of the artist and author in residence
A close up of the large cardboard puppets, with brown paper decorated with colourful scribbles in the backfround
Exhibition wall featuring photographs of the school children, the audio frame, and large puppets in the background

OFFBEAT Workshops

Artist and Author in Residence 2026. Offbeat. Web Banner Workshop.jpg

During the school summer holidays Sian and Ashley delivered 12 free family workshops to Inspire Libraries.

Sian took inspiration from popular songs to make marks to build an imaginary world for the different puppet characters that were created. Ashley guided participants through creative writing exercises, exploring genre and character development, before writing a story inspired by how a piece of music made you feel.

A colourful split pin puppet
A close up of a child hand's hand writing
A close up of a child's hand drawing

Have a go at home!

How To - Create a Dancing Paper Puppet by Sian Watson

How To - Creative Writing Activity...Based on a Song by Ashley Thorpe

Drawing of a paper puppet before assembly, showing the body parts across different pieces of paper
Image of a pen on paper with handwriting in the background
Drawing of a paper puppet after assembly, with a speech bubble saying "make your puppet dance!"

ACE logo.jpg

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Supported using public funding by Arts Council England