Samples and Needlecraft

So very impressed with the project and exhibition 'Stitches in Time' at The Vale and Downland Museum. Encouraging local people to stitch a series of iconic buildings in Wantage to produce both a record of their existence and a document of their changes of use across the years - fabulous idea!

This alongside the twenty samplers, some dating back to the 17th century, mostly donated by the Convent's stitching room. All now mounted and framed to protect them from exposure to light.

In addition a ready made resource for me to discover all the buildings of importance, old and new, in the town! Thank you Anne Griffiths and The Vale and Downland Museum :)

Day of Meetings and Chatting

LATE!

A great start to my first day working on the commission ... delayed by the M25 (I just love that road!)

Onwards and upwards, first meeting with Suzie Tilbury the curator at the gorgeous Vale and Downland Museum. So much to talk about, so much to see, I returned later to wander the collection and try the cafe (I can fully recommend gorgeous cake!).
http://wantage-museum.com/

Next back to The Beacon to meet the staff and find out what goes on there. 

Welcome to The Beacon Wantage, Oxfordshire illuminating the local community

 

We are the place to be for entertainment in Wantage. Whether you want to join an exercise class, watch a band, film, theatre or comedy, host a party or pop in for coffee, The Beacon is illuminating Wantage through the culture, leisure and entertainment.

http://beaconwantage.co.uk/

So much goes on there! In the words of The Beacon ... 

'From exercise classes and kickboxing to life drawing and flower arranging, there are sure to be activities running at The Beacon to capture your interest. Our programme of regular activities is designed to work out your body and mind, and once you've finished, why not have a coffee and catch up with friends in The Beacon Coffee Shop? Children are well provided for too with dancing, stage school and funtime soft play sessions.'

So much to talk about!  Many cups of coffee later and after a wander around the town ....

... it's off to meet Karen Tolley the Young People's Coordinator for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils and Holbie Clayton from King Alfred's Academy who runs an after school arts club.

http://www.kaacademy.org/
 

Starter for Ten (What is Wantage)

Woop Woop!

Am thrilled to have been selected to work on this public art commission! Time to get serious and start learning all about Wantage and it's people :)

The Proposal (well a small chunk of it!)

Submitted 30th August 2016
An initial idea is to use polycarbonate, vinyls and frosted finishes with the possibility of solar lighting to illuminate the artwork. Content would be researched from the area, the centre and it’s activities and events, and planning and facilitating workshops with local schools, users of the centre and local community groups, encouraging participants to create work which can be fed into the design process. The finished community artworks would be taken forward to create a selection of recognisable features linking local people, function and activity to form the repeating artwork / pattern.

The Beacon

Wantage Civic Hall now The Beacon

The area identified for the new entrance feature public artwork is the 'longabout' at the front of the building planted with trees in these two images. The trees have now been removed as they created a dark and unwelcoming reception area inside the building. The signage has been changed to The Beacon complete with the new logo.

The Commission

July 2016
We are seeking a visual artist/s to work with venue staff, users, neighbours and the public to create a wonderful and distinctive feature for the entrance of the Beacon in Wantage.
Deadline 30th August 2016.