Join artist Claye Bowler in Cross Flatts Park every Wednesday and Thursday this August, from 11am to 2pm, as well as at selected family festivals throughout the summer, for free drop in play and creative activities.
Inspired by how museums collect and archive objects, Claye invites families to create an archive-of-play this Summer.
Join us to make, cast, find, bind and play together!
pARCHIVE will also take place at selected family festivals across Leeds:
Let’s Move South Leeds, Sat 9 May, 12–3pm (Cross Flatts Park)
Hunslet Festival, Sat 13 Jun, 11.30am–4pm (Grove Road, Hunslet)
Beeston Festival, Sat 27 Jun, 10am–5pm (Cross Flatts Park)
University of Leeds Family Arts Day, Sat 27 Jun, 11am–3pm (University of Leeds Campus, LS2 9JT)
Practical Information
Sessions are staffed but parents/carers remain responsible for their children at all times.
pARCHIVE takes place outside. Please dress appropriately for the weather and for messy activities.
Activities are designed to be inclusive if your child has any additional needs that you want to discuss please get in touch with us.
Cross Flatts Park: the closest toilet facilities are at Watsonian Pavilion (Bridge Cafe), a 5 minute walk away
Cross Flatts Park can be accessed on 200 / 201 / 202 / 203 / 2 / 3 / 3A bus routes, there is also bicycle parking at Watsonian Pavilion (Bridge Cafe).
For further information please contact:
Email: sophie.bullen@yorkshirecontemporary.org
Phone: 07440295257
About the Artist
Claye Bowler is an artist based in Yorkshire. Based on his experience working as a museum registrar, Bowler’s work often incorporates, yet questions, the ethics, administration and aesthetics of museum collecting in his work. Bowler uses sculptural practices to highlight stories that are not historically collected through institutional means, often working with narratives of queerness and disability. Bowler has a strong connection to sound and music, increasingly integrating these elements into his work, using field recordings and traditional British folk song.
Recent solo exhibitions include: Dig Me a Grave, Yorkshire Sculpture Park (2025), Top, Henry Moore Institute, Leeds (2022). He has also performed at Tate (2023) and with Yorkshire Sculpture International (2021). He was a recipient of ACE DYCP Grant (2023) and Jerwood New Work Fund (2023) and ACE Project Grant (2024). His work is held in public collections: Arts Council Collection, Wellcome Collection, Otherness Archive, and Leeds Art Gallery. Bowler has established platforms for the showcasing and support of other queer and trans artists, founding and directing Yonder Gallery (2019-22) and Yorkshire Trans Choir (2018-22).