How 17,000 children can add splash of colour to Portsmouth's history with centenary celebration book
The 100 Sparks colouring book has brought the celebration of Portsmouth100 into classrooms with copies reaching every primary school child in the city.
Children across Portsmouth have been busy delving into the people, places, memories, stories and ideas that make the city special as part of a special centenary community project.
The 100 Sparks colouring book has brought the celebration of Portsmouth100 into classrooms with 17,000 copies reaching every primary school child in the city.
Created by Seekers Create in partnership with Shaping Portsmouth and Spark Community Space, the book celebrates 100 people, places, events, memories and community sparks from across the city. Each page invites children to see their city as something they are part of, shaped by local stories, everyday heroes, community spaces and the sparks of creativity found across Portsmouth.
The News collaborated on the 100 Sparks collection by helping shine a light on many of the stories, people and places being celebrated in the book.
The project, initially launched in the summer, was also made possible with the support of Bishops Printers, Hampshire Flag Company, Spinnaker Tower, Citrus FM, Comserv, Gunwharf Quays and Delivered Social.
Steve Baker, Director of Seekers Create, said: “100 Sparks is about celebrating the city through the eyes of the people who live here. We wanted every primary school child in Portsmouth to have something they could hold, colour, talk about and share with their family. The book gives children a way to feel part of Portsmouth’s 100th year and to see their city as a place full of creativity, stories and possibility.”
Becky Simmons, founder of Spark Community Space, added: “100 Sparks is such a lovely way to bring people together around Portsmouth’s centenary. It gives children and families a simple way to connect with the city, share stories and feel proud of where they live. We’re really pleased to be part of a project that reaches so many young people across Portsmouth.”
Rachael Mundy, marketing manager at Bishops Printers, said when they were approached about the project they had to get involved. ‘As a business rooted in Portsmouth, many of us have family or friends in local schools, so it's especially rewarding to know these colouring books will be enjoyed by thousands of children across the city. We're really pleased to have played a small part in bringing the Portsmouth100 Sparks project to life and supporting such a positive initiative,” she added.
Seekers Create is a Portsmouth-based creative community engagement organisation that uses art, conversation and playful participation to connect people with place. For more information about the project go to: https://www.seekerscreate.com/portsmouth-100