A packed programme of creative and unique art events is coming to a close in this weekend.

The BEAF 2023 Arts Festival has been drawing crowds with intrigue to various performances, exhibitions and workshops over the past eight days.

And there is still plenty to enjoy over the weekend of June 24 and June 25.

The theme for this year’s festival is ‘Unheard Voices’ with proceedings kicking off through the launch party at the O2 Academy on Friday, June 16.

Cllr Andy Martin, BCP Council cabinet member for culture, said: "I was absolutely knocked out by the vibrancy, excitement and optimism at the launch event.

"There was an incredible buzz. This is an outstanding and inspiring festival that brilliantly showcases the energy, talent and potential of Boscombe.

"It's also a shining and powerful example of how arts and culture can make a difference to and change lives. 

"I look forward to BCP Council giving BEAF as much support we can in future."

An art trail remains in place across many local venues this weekend showing eyes produced by typewriter artists Keira Rathbone, while the following events are available to experience and enjoy.

What is taking place this weekend?

Boscombe World by Harold Offeh (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

Boscombe Arts Depot (B.A.D.) in the Sovereign Shopping Centre, Christchurch Road, is home to the festival’s major exhibition.

The commission is a visual and sensory art installation, which invites visitors to engage with Boscombe as a place of healing and restorative care.

The stunning installation includes a giant whale skeleton for everyone to explore.

Portraits of Boscombe by Brendan Barry (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

The work of the photographer is also on show at B.A.D. throughout the festival.

He is creating a large camera obscura, with portraits of the area activated with daily activities. Attendees can take up the opportunity to have their portrait taken.

The Buzztastic Bee-Balancing Blundershow by Sophie Fretwell and Bogdan Babei (11am, 1pm and 3pm on Saturday, June 24)

The new show created by the two Dorset artists provides a platform for the unheard voices of bees and the struggles of a Romanian migratory parent to find his community.

The free family friendly show takes place on the pedestrian precinct.

BEAF Art Pavilion (workshops throughout both days – online pre-booking advised)

In a first for the festival, the art pavilion is providing a space for workshops and performances.

On Saturday, afternoon Tara White is hosting the Boscombe World Tea Room to allow people to create their own tea and design their own label to take home, there are two link printing workshops with Jo Maylon and a workshop with The Cabinet of Living Cinema.

The final day of the art pavilion on Sunday sees guests able to join artist Rosie Edwards to create their own mini banner using textiles and stitch, a silent disco by HUSH Club and the chance to watch creative short films exploring unheard voices.

Postcards from Prison (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

This exhibition displaying inside the Boscombe Police Box in Christchurch Road is made up of voices from inside the criminal justice system.

The artwork makes up part of wider work of The Outsiders Project, where people with experience of the criminal justice system have visited prisons across the south and southwest to deliver workshops and performances.

Access BEAF (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

A group of emerging artists from across Bournemouth and wider Dorset are using the Sovereign Centre as a test space to experiment, sharing their work in a shared space.

Access BEAF was set up to support one another, particularly for those artists who have experienced racism and may have faced barriers and access into the arts and education.

BEAF Group Exhibition (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

The installation in the Sovereign Centre presents artwork from the past and present.

The work of the seven artists were selected from a call out for commissions within the festival.

Defenders by Julia Kochetova x Fine Acts (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

The installation by the Ukrainian photographer uses old Rissoan prism lenses to make a powerful point about a nation under fire.

The work is part of a larger project called being Ukraine and it is on display in the Sovereign Centre.

For Clara by Anders Birger (all weekend until 6pm on Sunday, June 25)

The exhibition is a time capsule containing stories, images, video and writing.

It is all addressed to the artist’s imaginary great great granddaughter, with his nine-year-old daughter collaborating with him on a large part of the work.

It can be seen in all its brilliance at Studio Roost in Christchurch Road.

Stateless by Joli Vyann (7pm to 8pm on Saturday, June 24 – online pre-book tickets)

The festival commissioned the Boscombe-based dance company to perform a fusion of dance circus with participants from BEAF’s Seeking Refuge project.

The final performance, which includes flashing and strobe lighting, loud noises and sensitive content including stories about migration and displacement, takes place on Saturday night at Bournemouth Foodbank in Haviland Road.

Tickets are pay what you can at £12 and £20 or a £25 solidarity ticket. The whole ticket price goes as a donation to Boscombe Foodbank.

For details about all of the events and to pre-book tickets, visit gotbeaf.co.uk