Little Inventors at Sunderland Arts Festival
We were so excited to be part of the Sunderland Art Festival on Sunday 31 August, bringing imagination, invention, and playful creativity back to our hometown! This free, family-friendly event at Sheepfolds Stables ran from 10am to 4pm, with hands-on creative sessions for all ages - and we were right at the heart of it.
The Little Inventors Workshop
Visitors joined us as we dreamed up big ideas for Sunderland’s brand new footbridge, the Keel Crossing. Using a giant cardboard model, young inventors had the chance to shape a vision for the city’s future with craft, colour, and creativity.
The session was led by our brilliant cardboard artist Lottie Smith, who transformed recyclable materials into playful works of art. Together, we encouraged wild and wonderful ideas that showed just how inventive Sunderland can be.
This workshop connected back to why Little Inventors began here in Sunderland in 2016 - to give children’s creativity the value it deserves, and to help turn their imaginative ideas into reality with the support of artists, makers, and designers.
The Lost & Found Office of Oddities
Alongside our workshop, visitors stepped into The Lost and Found Office of Oddities, a playful street theatre experience created in partnership with Atlas Theatre Company CIC. Guests encountered curious objects, roaming performers, and surreal surprises - all designed to spark storytelling and imaginative adventures. The Lost and Found Office of Oddities is part of our Tomorrow Projects family of creative initiatives.
A Homecoming for Little Inventors
Our founder, internationally acclaimed artist and inventor Dominic Wilcox, was delighted to return to Sunderland for this special event:
“Sunderland is where the original Inventors! project began in 2016, and it was wonderful to come back and celebrate the creativity of the city that inspired us. This event was a chance to engage local communities, spark imaginations, and maybe even uncover the next great thinkers and inventors. We wanted to show that their ideas matter and deserve to be celebrated - and to have fun along the way!
About the Festival
The Sunderland Art Festival, led by artist Su Devine and supported by Sunderland BID, was a joyful celebration of the city’s vibrant arts and culture. With exhibitions, workshops, and creative encounters across the Sheepfolds, it became the perfect playground for imagination, storytelling, and artistic adventure.
We were thrilled to welcome so many curious, creative people who brought their biggest ideas - together, we made something amazing!