Sustainability and creativity – a new immersive art adventure for families: step into a magical winter wonderland of cardboard creativity

Grue – a new 

immersive art 

adventure: 

Step into a magical 

winter wonderland 

of cardboard 

creativity

Grue opens to the general public on Saturday December 4th and runs until Christmas www.hello-arcade.com/grue 

A new interactive and immersive art adventure called Grue is coming to the Old Parcels Office in Scarborough this Christmas. The magical experience is aimed at families and will explore ideas around sustainability and community – unlocking the imaginations of young people from around the Yorkshire Coast. 

Grue is from the creative mind of Scarborough artist Steve Wintercroft – who has designed work for Sir Paul McCartney, Bjork and Game of Thrones in the past – and has been commissioned by the Old Parcels Office. The experience is produced by local arts charity, ARCADE. Students from Scarborough Sixth Form are working to create the truly unique wintery cardboard  aARCADE Co-Direcorewonderland. The whole production is supported by Yorkshire Coast BID.

Built by the community and made entirely out of recycled and repurposed materials, the project sends out a clear message about what is possible with a bit of imagination and old cardboard – inspiring people to think differently about packaging and waste this Christmas. Grue takes its name from an historic word for snow or shiver, and will be a walk-through experience, taking families on a journey through forest, town, sea and sky. A blend of exploration and art experience. And creative people will be on hand to help visitors make a memorable Christmas decoration. 

Entry to Grue is ‘Pay what you can’. Each slot will take approximately 15-20 minutes, with the option to stay, have a drink and create your craft at the end. The installation is quite intimate, so groups of up to six will be admitted every five minutes. Booking is essential and can be done via www.hello-arcade.com/grue 

ARCADE Co-Director Rach Drew said: 

“We are so excited to be working on this ambitious creative project with Scarborough based partners. It’s a fantastic opportunity for interested community members to get involved, use their creativity while learning from Steve, a world class artist. It’s also brilliant to have a Winter themed offer which has sustainability at its heart. Grue will show what is possible with an old box, some tape and a bit of imagination!” 

Partners Wintercroft, ARCADE and the Old Parcels Office see Grue as a test for what other ambitious events could be possible in Scarborough, created with the people who live here. Artist Steve Wintercroft has been running creative projects for the last twenty years and his design portfolio includes international projects with the likes of Damien Hirst, Sir Paul McCartney, Björk & Game of Thrones. Grue is his first project based in Scarborough and made with the community. 

Artist Steve Wintercroft said: 

“It’s been brilliant working in Scarborough on such a large and ambitious project. Grue highlights the transformative power of creativity and explores what can be achieved with an empty space and a belief that we are all creative. We hope the work inspires children and their families to experiment with their Christmas packaging and think creatively about materials we usually regard as rubbish.” 

Scarborough Sixth Form are already busily building cardboard houses in their art club sessions,

and other groups are encouraged to approach the organisers if they would like to be involved. Community members can also take part in the project by attending building sessions. You can drop in and help create the world of Grue on a variety of days in November at the Old Parcels 

Office. No experience is necessary to take part, the building workshops are not suitable for under 16s. Full details on the website. 

Sally Gorham, Chair of the Old Parcels Office said: 

“It’s fantastic to be working with Arcade and Steven Wintercroft. The Old Parcels Office is an amazing space and this project really fulfills our aim of bringing high quality contemporary art to Scarborough and giving local artists and performers a platform to show their work.” 

Grue community build dates and times taking place at the Old Parcels Office, Scarborough hello-arcade.com/buildgrue 

● Sunday 7th November, 10am – 12 and 1pm – 4pm 

● Thursday 11th November, 2pm – 6pm 

● Sunday 14th November, 10am – 12 and 1pm – 4pm 

● Sunday 21st November, 10am – 12 and 1pm – 4pm 

● Thursday 25th November, 2pm – 6pm 

● Saturday 27th November, 10am – 12 and 1pm – 4pm 

● Sunday 28th November, 10am – 12 and 1pm – 4pm 

● Thursday 2nd December, 2pm – 6pm 

Grue 2021 opening times – bookable slots every 5 minutes: hello-arcade.com/grue Steve Wintercroft (Wintercroft) 

Steve is a designer, visual artist and the founder of Wintercroft, an 

environmentally conscious design company specialising in helping 

people explore creativity through making. His work is internationally 

recognised, with iconic designs playing key roles in progressive 

conservation campaigns, films, theatre productions, TV & music 

videos.

ARCADE 

ARCADE is a charitable community producer based in Scarborough, 

led by Rach Drew and Sophie Drury-Bradey. We think everyone is 

creative and we believe culture belongs to everyone. 

Our mission is to: 

● make incredible cultural experiences happen with artists and 

communities 

● Support communities to develop creativity and ideas 

● And to collaborate to make community-led change happen 

using the arts 

We do this through creative projects, workshops, shows, festivals 

and events. Hear more about ARCADE at hello-arcade.com 

Sally Gorham (Old Parcels Office) 

Sally Gorham is the Chair of Scarborough Studios which runs the Old 

Parcels office Artspace. After a career as an NHS manager Sally 

completed a degree in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins in London. 

The Old Parcels Office is an amazing building on Scarborough Station 

which has recently reopened as a centre for contemporary arts and 

culture. 

For all press enquiries please contact: 

Rach Drew – M: 07834244401 

E: [email protected] 

What’s available for press? 

● Press trips and tickets for review are available upon request 

● Exclusive interviews with community producers and commissioners 

● Images from Wintercroft and mock ups of Grue â— Any other requests? Email [email protected]