April sees the launch of an exciting project inviting people to look at our local landscape from a new perspective. Organised by Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Drawing Inspiration is a programme of exhibitions, events and activities celebrating the beauty of the Dorset landscape, past and present.
Over the centuries, Dorset’s landscapes have inspired many artists, and Drawing Inspiration is shining spotlight on some of these inspiring artworks from the past. These images not only describe the physical landscape, but tell us about the cultural and social changes that have shaped how we live today.
Drawing Inspiration has been working with a number of partners across the county- including local museums, artists and environmental organisations to put together an exciting programme of events to explore and discover what it is that makes our landscape so special.
Project Coordinator Crystal Johnson said, “We have a fantastic range of different events, there is something for everyone. Take a walk, visit an exhibition, join a workshop, listen to a talk – immerse yourself in the beauty of the Dorset landscape and experiencing first-hand the places where artists have truly, drawn inspiration.”
Many exhibitions open at the beginning of April and the first events include:
Lyme Regis – 2.30pm Wednesday 2 April: A talk by Professor Chris Paul on The Great Landslip of 1839.The Guildhall, Lyme Regis – FREE ENTRY
Dorchester – 7.00pm Thursday 3 April: A talk by artist, John Walker on The Dorset Landscape and the Romantic Imagination in the Twentieth Century. Dorset County Museum – £3 suggested donation
Holton Heath – 10.00am until 1.00pm Saturday 5 April: Cordite to Calluna – the view from Nitroglycerine Hill. A rare opportunity to gain access to the old cordite factory grounds and to view the incredible model of the area measuring 21 x 18 feet, built by staff during WW2. There will also be family clay workshops, tours of the nature reserve and an exhibition charting the changing landscape of this part of Dorset. Please book your place in advance by email: bob@rncf.co.uk or telephone: 01202 694830.The model and exhibition will be on display at Admiralty Park, Station Road, Holton Heath, BH16 6JU – ADMISSION FREE
For more information on all events pick up a leaflet at your local TIC or museum or visit the website: www.dorsetaonb.org.uk
