A POP-up family festival is set to unleash a wealth of creativity in Leigh next month.

The Turnpike will be hosting Art and Soul on Saturday, July 13 from 11am to 3pm where there will be a live performance from artist Mellow Baku and her jazz ensemble.

Mellow Baku is a vocalist, songwriter, guitarist and performance poet that draws on the sounds of soul and jazz, reggae, folk and blues.

She combines this with live vocal looping improvisations and electronics.

Big Imaginations, the regional network for touring children's theatre, will also be there.

Children's performances will be on show, facepainting will be on offer along with screen printing activities.

People can work with artists to create their own work for the gallery walls too.

Learning and engagement manager at The Turnpike Hannah Gaunt said: “We are delighted to be launching Art and Soul at The Turnpike this year, which stems from our belief that people of any age can be creative and can be an active part of the cultural life of the borough.

"The borough is bursting with creativity and the Art and Soul festival will celebrate that while especially encouraging the youngest artists to explore the arts with their families.”

Leigh Journal:

Young performers at The Turnpike. Picture: Hannah Gaunt

Leigh Journal:

Visitors take a close look at artwork at The Turnpike. Picture: Jack Brown

The Turnpike has also been developing a new engagement programme for children and young people over the next two years and offers regular activities for toddlers through to young adults.

An exhibition showcasing the watercolour paintings of artist Barbara Nichols, which pays homage to Leigh's history, is also on display there until Saturday, June 22.

The work at the gallery coincides with the first year of The Fire Within - the borough's new cultural manifesto.

Tickets for Art and Soul are priced at £6 for adults and £3 for children.

To book tickets click here or visit the gallery.