A travelling shed of curiosities will be taking up residence at locations across the city next week to mark the start of the summer season, bringing out the home tourist in us all.

Packed with analogue artefacts including a gramophone stacked with 1930s classics, a human-powered 3D printer, a typewriter visitor’s book and aPad, the shed will take a tour of some of the city centre’s lesser-known cultural hot spots, sharing ideas and itineraries for a packed summer in the city.

Each day the roving shed will be transformed into a new work of art by local artist and illustrator Amy Evans, also known as Tiger Tea. Each day Amy will cover the shed in a mystery illustration inviting visitors and passers by to colour the work in, painting by numbers to reveal the surprise picture.

“The idea of the shed is to be playful and throw a spotlight on events happening in the city that are sometimes under the radar and only apparent if you’re in the know about these things or a friend tells you. Painting by numbers is a great way to reveal the city in a new way and encourage people to find out about the interesting&exciting things that are going on here in Leeds via the new Leeds Inspired website.” says Amy.

From Tuesday 17th April the travelling shed will take up residence at Munro House opposite Leeds City Bus Station for two days. The shed will then move to the south side of the city on the pop-up art park Wonderwood in the Round Foundry area on Thursday 19th April. The team will complete their tour of cultural locations at the Culture Vulture’s Friday Picnic event at Leeds Corn Exchange on Friday 20th April, a playful networking event for the city’s creative sector.

Jane Earnshaw, Leeds Inspired co-ordinator will be travelling alongside the analogue assortment: “The team have been busy working behind the scenes to create the new Leeds Inspired website, which takes the form of a large events calendar featuring everything from plays, musicals & exhibitions to DIY craft events & pop-up activities that take place in the city. We wanted a fun way for people to find out about what’s on in Leeds and for those organising events to learn about a new way to get the word out.”

“The tour is our way of taking inspiration to people and showing off a creative side to the city working with local artists, illustrators, performers and event organisers bringing Leeds to life for a packed summer season.”

Alongside the analogue curiosities each day will feature a programme of events and activities including, an anti-gravity challenge, a 3D design competition, games and treasure hunts, with a raft of prizes including tickets for cultural events.

“The website is up and running but still in BETA test mode, which means that people can come along, find out more and have a play with the website so that the people who will use the website the most can help us to change anything or add things that they would find useful. For a long time people have asked for a comprehensive events calendar for the city and the new Leeds Inspired website is just that and more, providing hundreds of reasons to go out and explore what’s on. It’s also a free way for event organisers to get the word out to more people about the brilliant ways more of us could be spending our free time in the city.” adds Jane. 

Leeds Inspired is part of Leeds Cultural Olympiad programme celebrating the 2012 Olympic Games. The tour will run from 17th-20th April across four locations in the city centre. For more information visit: www.leedsinspired.co.uk.

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