This Saturday sees the return of the Charivari, an annual event that fills the streets of Folkestone with energy, colour, sound and joy! But before we get to the carnival, today is also a special day. It is the launch of our whiteboard animation for Strange Cargo, celebrating them and way they work with communities.

We enjoy every project, each one teaches us something new, and collaborating with Strange Cargo was no exception. Working with Strange Cargo also gave us the opportunity to support an organisation we know well. They are from Folkestone, where some of our team live and have enjoyed their work over the years.

Meeting with Brigitte Orasinski, Strange Cargo's Artistic Director, we couldn’t help but be inspired, as she told us about Strange Cargo’s history, ethos and projects. Making copious notes, we took all this and distilled it into a script. This was then transformed by our talented team of illustrators and animators into a storyboard, rich illustrations, engaging animation and finally the wonderful video you see above!

Strange Cargo’s projects include guidebooks of local areas and the memories they hold, light festivals that make the power of art truly luminous, group made sculptures and of course, the Charivari! For 25 years, the Charivari has been inviting and involving the residents of Folkestone to create costumes and take to the streets in this annual carnival. Strange Cargo teaches people the skills they will need to make these costumes, transforming a pile of sticks into a universe of forms and larger-than-life characters.

Working closely with schools and teachers, many of the parents helping their children take part this year will have taken part themselves! Over 24 schools and community groups will be taking part, creating costumes that honour cultural icons from the last 70 years of the Queen’s reign.

The Charivari and this approach showcases Strange Cargo’s participatory approach to art and community, which has included over 27,000 people in both over their 25 years. Join the fun at 2pm on Folkestone’s Stade, Saturday 16th July. Keep an eye out for the Beatles, a Furbie and Tom and Jerry.

Keep an eye out too for Strange Cargo’s latest guidebook which shines a light on Romney Marsh and the memories it holds for people. We love using whiteboard animation and visual thinking share inspiring stories like that of Strange Cargo, and to introduce new services, important messages, big ideas.

It always makes us happy to see our animations launched. If you have a project in mind, we’d love to hear about your vision and discuss how whiteboard animation could help. Talk to us today!