2021 Spring Exhibition

I am glad and proud to say that the 2021 Spring Exhibition is finally here. Better late than never as the saying goes.

Following on from our first exhibition last year felt like an opportunity to build on the tangible and accessible theme of hope that was conspicuous in the year of a global pandemic. My husband and I discussed possible themes that would allow more of the same optimistic visual art, but that would also bring about some new sensibilities of the world as we moved into 2021. We are still in the midst of this pandemic as a global nation, however the shock has lessened, and we are now navigating lockdowns, isolation, face masks, vaccines and social distance with far more courage and curiosity. We are adapting, growing into a new era, discovering new ways to be, see and do. And this is where our new theme came.

Discovery.

For us here in the wilds of North Devon, discovery tends to evoke ideas of nature; coming across a new moth species on our windowsills at night, finding birds nesting under the bonnet of an old car, slow worms under slate in the garden, palmate newts and frogs in our pond… For some perhaps the ideas of discovery conjure grand adventures and voyages across oceans, up mountains, or even into space, into the unknown. (Cue the Frozen II soundtrack here). For others, discovery has taken a much more introspective turn; with time to spare and isolation prevalent; self reflection and personal creativity has become a staple activity for many. I think you will see these ideas and others within the exhibition. Discovery is, in its very nature, laced with wonder and imagination and rooted in a promise of something else.

Discovery seemed like an encompassing and inclusive theme which held onto the positivity that Hope left us with. So, I put out a global call for artists and I had hundreds of submissions. I waded through, carefully selecting and sadly rejecting entries, building an assortment of work that collectively speaks the diverse interpretations of ideas around discovery. This exhibition is larger than the first, but retains the same concept; one that seeks to perhaps give the feeling of wandering around rooms in a gallery; seeing the pieces individually, but also in a flowing stream that I hope brings a cohesion to the multifarious creative work from all over the world.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the artists that submitted work, and especially to those chosen to participate in the exhibition. It has been a pleasure to work with you and to become so familiar with, and fond of your work. Please feel free to share the exhibition with your own audience and connect with other participating artists.

I would also like to thank all of you who have come to view the exhibition. We are about to become a registered community interest company, and much of our work is voluntary in order to build our community work and fulfil the aims of promoting and providing the creative arts, with a focus on improving well being and mental health. To this end, if you enjoy the exhibition please consider making a donation. Any donations currently help fund community projects such as Everybody Dance Now, which aims to provide free dance shoes to children and adult students who want to take part and study dance and performance. We are also hoping to build our community fund, which will allow us to provide our creative engineering classes for free to children who benefit from the activities but whose families may require financial assistance.

Please feel free to share the exhibition with your friends and social media followers and do contact us with any feedback. Thanks once again, and enjoy… start with Room 1.