Join us at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, on Saturday 10 September, for the STEAM Symposium and the chance to hear from The Big Draw's newest ambassador, Designer Baker and previous GBBO winner, the wonderful Frances Quinn!
Frances Quinn is a designer baker, perhaps best known for her highly creative culinary masterpieces, which earned her the title of winner of the Great British Bake Off 2013. Three years on, as GBBO appears on our screens to tempt our taste buds once more, Frances has found new channels to express her creativity and to encourage others to do the same.
On Saturday 10 September, Frances Quinn's new role of Ambassador for The Big Draw will be announced at a high profile event bringing together thought leaders in science, digital technology, arts and education to highlight art - and drawing in particular - as an essential ingredient in the school curriculum and across diverse industries.
As an ambassador of The Big Draw, Frances will support a wide array of the charity’s events and activities to champion the power of drawing and the importance of visual literacy in schools and beyond, including The World's Biggest Drawing Festival which takes place from 1-31 October.
Commenting on her new role, Frances Quinn said:
"I’m delighted to be an ambassador for The Big Draw. Although best known for winning The Great British Bake Off, drawing and thinking creatively is the inspiration behind my ideas and bakes. I often get asked 'What would you choose baking or design?' but for me it's never a choice and always a collaboration. In fact it is my background in design and the fusing together of food and art that I’m most passionate to share via The Big Draw.
Sir Quentin Blake has always been one of my hero’s and inspirations. Having had the privilege of baking for him, it is a treat for me to now join alongside him in being a Big Draw Ambassador"
Sir Quentin Blake is one of several patrons of The Big Draw, which also counts Andrew Marr, Bob & Roberta Smith RA, David Hockney OM CH, Sir Roger Penrose OM, Gerald Scarfe CBE, Posy Simmonds MBE, and Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell among its high profile supporters.
Frances' support of The Big Draw began in November, last year, when she took part in a Food and Drink Special of Alexander Armstrong's game show, Pointless Celebrities and won £1,250 for the charity. However, her new ambassadorial role is about more than raising much needed funds for the charity. Instead, through events such as the STEAM Symposium, and the STEAM Powred Big Draw Festival, she is hoping to raise awareness of The Big Draw’s STEM to STEAM campaign, which aims demonstrate the vital role of arts subjects across the curriculum and national industries, alongside and within science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The STEAM Symposium: Laboratory of Visual Exploration takes place on 10 September 2016 at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead. It is organised by The Big Draw in partnership with The University of Lincoln and BALTIC, and supported by Arts Council England. A small number of tickets remain for this event, which presents a unique opportunity to hear from the designer baker herself.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit: http://www.thebigdraw.org/steam-symposium.
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