A National Lottery-funded craft group is bringing all-ability creative sessions to Sandown, with its first project producing carnival costumes for this year’s Isle of Wight Mardi Gras.
VIVA – which stands for Valuing Individuals, Valuing All – runs weekly samba and percussion workshops and recently received an Awards for All lottery grant to fund craft sessions over the next two years.
The group launched its Creative Crew sessions at Sandown Broadway Centre at the end of May, with sessions continuing every Wednesday.
Costumes for Mardi Gras in Ryde
For its first craft block, the group is making a set of 20 carnival costumes for The New Carnival Company’s Mardi Gras parade, taking place on 4th July in Ryde.
The theme draws on a local Isle of Wight tale called Chuffle, written by Tracy Mikich of Boojum & Snark and illustrated by Teresa Grimaldi.
The story centres on themes of difference, belonging, and sacrifice – about having to fit in somewhere you might not have originally chosen to be, earning the trust and respect of a community, and ultimately giving everything for your friends.
A tiger washed up on Sandown beach
In the story, Tamilla the tiger finds herself a refugee, washed up on Sandown beach. During her time in Sandown, she visits the pier, plays the 2p machines, eats doughnuts, and feeds the seagulls – and all of those details find their way into the costume designs.
Members of VIVA drew their own costume ideas, from which a single hybrid design was developed drawing on the best elements each person suggested, with hidden references to the beach and pier woven throughout.
Tiger faces take centre stage
The centrepiece of each costume is a tiger face – each one made using the same process, but every one turning out individual and charming in its own right.
The group is currently making the component parts, which will later come together to form the full set of 20 costumes.
Materials chosen with the environment in mind
VIVA is approaching the making process with environmental impact in mind, prioritising recycled, repurposed, and discarded materials wherever possible.
Vikoma in Cowes has donated scrap and offcut vinyl to the project, giving waste material a new life as carnival costume components.
Participation on your own terms
Anyone interested in joining does not have to take part in the carnival itself – VIVA welcomes people who would rather be part of the making team, creating costumes for others to wear.
New members and volunteers are welcome. Contact Yetta Elkins at [email protected] for more information.
Find out more about VIVA Carnival Club by visiting their Facebook Page.
If you are attending the Mardi Gras on Saturday 4th July 2026, be sure to look out for these fantastic costumes.
