Big Play
What if families could dream up their own playground—together?
These 45-minute sessions are a chance for grown-ups and their children to co-create playful worlds using giant objects, material, colour, texture, light and shadow.
Big Play in Copperdot Studio, Norwich – part of The Playtime Project
Imagine as you turn everyday materials into something magical. Whether you’re 2 or 72, this is a space to explore side by side—no instructions, no right or wrong, just shared discovery and joyful mess-making.
This is not about doing it ‘right’. It’s an open play space for you, your children to immerse into play without goals or the need to make something perfect. Let your mind wander and explore with it. Big Play is an invitation to create playgrounds for your imaginations, and your connection.
“Being on my own just meant that I felt like I could engage a bit more with my kids in their play and not feel quite so self conscious as if it was a group session.”
“It was so wonderful to not have to worry about things being safe or breaking valuables.”
“It was just a really freeing space to explore.”
“Inspiration, play ideas, fun and joy.”
“I liked the idea that families have made something before, then there's remnants of that.
We are creating alone but what we do has a life before us and beyond our time in space.”
Big Play Makers
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Alice Bygraves – Seamstress, Textile Artist & Museum Professional
Alice Bygraves is a seamstress, textile artist, and textile archaeologist with over a decade of experience working in museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. Her multidisciplinary background spans curatorial work, public engagement, and hands-on textile practice, all guided by a deep interest in history, material culture, and sustainable making.
She has held roles at leading organisations including the Estorick Collection, the British Museum, the Royal Academy of Arts, and the British School at Rome, where she developed strong expertise in exhibition coordination, collections care, administration, and communication.
In her current practice, Alice focuses on visible mending, embroidery, and textile reuse. She leads workshops, supports community-focused projects, and collaborates with artists on embroidered works for sculpture, performance, and fashion — including with Heather Swann, Phil Goss and Folk Clothing. She is also a member of We Wear the Trousers, a collective promoting slow fashion to diverse audiences.
Alice designs soft furnishings for Big Play, sourcing sustainably interesting materials and textures, and creating playground environments using exclusively recycled textiles. Her work on Big Play combines creative design with environmental responsibility, bringing tactile storytelling into public spaces.
Whether stitching, curating, or collaborating, Alice brings care, creativity, and a deep respect for materials to every aspect of her work.
Either as a one-off event or through multiple days – Big Play is ready to come to your community. Get in touch to learn more and start the conversation!
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Emma Zangs is a choreographer, performer and communication coach.Since 2018, Emma has facilitated dance workshops with refugees living in the UK, to help overcome trauma, regain self-confidence and recreate a sense of belonging and community. In 2019, Emma delivered her TEDx talk ‘We Are All Dancers’, as part of TEDxWomen. Through her work with business owners and refugees, she shared the message that dance unites us all and has a unique power to repair and reshape our lives beyond the physical.
Emma studied Art History and Film Studies at Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris and has an MA in Choreography from Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London. She was also a Resident of Sadler’s Wells Artist Development Programme (2015-18). Born in Paris, France, she grew up in the Normandy countryside and now lives in Norwich, Norfolk.
Recent Awards:
Norfolk Arts Awards 2023 for ‘Sanctuary on the Faultlines.’
Troop New Ideas Award from Cambridge Junction 2025 for ‘The Lost Nose’.
