A MAJOR art project is being staged in a vacant Keighley store premises.

The Mega Drawing Box will take place at the former Beales unit, in the Airedale Shopping Centre.

Over two days, on October 7 and 8, people are invited to join eight professional artists to make their mark on a giant blank canvas.

The event, being spearheaded by arts charity Keighley Creative, will also feature performances from local youth dance groups and professional company Mobius Dance. And the Bradford Belles will provide street entertainment.

The initiative follows the success of last year's Drawing Box, when empty retail units were transformed into public art spaces.

Theme for the Mega Drawing Box is 'anything mechanical', such as machinery and tools reflecting Keighley’s industrial heritage and modern manufacturing industry.

Keighley Creative hopes the theme may also generate interest in STEM subjects.

Leading the project is artist Naseem Darbey.

She says: "I believe that if you give people the tools, confidence and encouragement to focus on the process – rather than the fear of a bad outcome – then everyone can draw.

"We want to support others and help them discover their own abilities, as drawing can instil confidence, connect people to their heritage and give them an opportunity to tell their stories in a fun, creative way."

The free event is being supported by Bradford Council and Keighley Towns Fund, and sponsored by Brsk.

Ross Hardaker, for Brsk, says: "We're excited to partner with Keighley Creative and sponsor an amazing project. We found common ground in wanting to help and support the local community, which aligns with our goals to enable not only access to better broadband, but create and empower better-connected communities too."

The event will be videoed and photographed to produce a permanent record of the artwork.

Alongside the professional artists and performers, there will be a team of volunteers.

The venture is part of Keighley Creative Presents, designed to bring a range of arts and cultural events to the town.

Events director Aimee Grundell says: "The whole team at Keighley Creative is keen to support the local community, and this fun, interactive event is the first of a number we have planned."

The Mega Drawing Box will be open between 10am and 5pm on Saturday, October 7, and from 11am to 4pm on the Sunday.

For further information, visit keighleycreative.org, email admin@keighleycreative.org or see @keighleycreative social media channels.