A Ridgeway Inspired Visual Art Exhibition
A brand new art exhibition inspired by the South Dorset Ridgeway and commissioned by Artsreach has been touring throughout Dorset this summer and will visit two final venues in July, accompanied by some exciting traditional craft workshops for adults and families to enjoy.
Stretching parallel to the coast, from Broadmayne in the east to Kingston Russell in the west, is a broad ridge of chalky downland, capped by acid gravels at Black Down, known as the South Dorset Ridgeway. With a steep escarpment on the south and a gently sloping landscape to the north, some 14 square miles within this landscape area feature at least 500 earthworks, showing evidence of man’s occupation of the land since prehistoric times.
Featuring commissioned works from six local and national artists, plus brand new music by rising folk stars Ninebarrow, ‘Field Days’ officially opened in Litton Cheney at the beginning of April and was accompanied by leatherwork and willow weaving workshops. Following a time at Walford Mill Craft Centre in East Dorset, the exhibition moves back to West Dorset in July where it will be on display at Martinstown Village Hall from the 9-10 July and finally at The Kingcombe Centre in Toller Porcorum from the 22-24 July.
Artists Dan Bendel, Sarah Butterworth, Isla Chaney, Tessa Farmer, Susan Kinley and Amanda Wallwork have each created the Field Days exhibits in a variety of mediums, from mirrors, light boxes and paintings, to carvings, cartoons and sculptures, each responding to the archaeology, geology and ancient myths and legends of the South Dorset Ridgeway. As part of the Field Days project, award winning folk duo Ninebarrow have also written and recorded three new contemporary songs inspired by the area, which will be available to hear at the exhibition. A selection of works by Bill Crumbleholme, a potter with a passion for ancient pottery and Neolithic and Bronze Age techniques, will be displayed alongside the exhibition.
Alongside the exhibition at Martinstown, the Ancient Wessex Network bring The History Village to the village green from 11am-4pm on Saturday 9 July. Visitors can enter the ancient village and see a huge variety of authentic and traditional activity, plus have a go at a variety of crafts including beaker pottery, bronze casting, Faience bead and Viking jewellery making. Then at the Kingcombe Centre, Dr Simon Timberlake of Cambridge Archaeology Unit will lead workshops in Tin & Copper Smelting on 23 July and Bronze Casting on 24 July.
Entry to the exhibition and History Village is free but opening times vary. Smelting and casting workshop places are limited and so must be booked at £35pp. For further information or to book a workshop place, contact The Kingcombe Centre on 01300 320684. For full details about the exhibition, visit the Artsreach website www.artsreach.co.uk