WELLS Art Contemporary (WAC) has brought a vibrant exhibition of international contemporary art into the heart of the city, at Wells Cathedral.
At a packed Private View, the Very Rev Toby Wright, Dean of Wells, opened the evening with heartfelt words: “I am passionate about Wells Art Contemporary as it continues to be a bridge between tradition and innovation, between sacred architecture and modern imagination. The art works do not merely decorate this space; they illuminate it.”
Among the highlights of the evening was the presentation of The Jane Bowe Memorial Award to Frome artist Jane Sheppard for her installation Guardians. Her hand-coiled anthropomorphic ceramic sculptures are situated in the Palm Churchyard – the original entrance to the Cathedral and home to an ancient Yew. Jane said: “I feel very honoured, touched and delighted to know that my Guardians resonated on a personal level in the space. That makes my work meaningful.”
Somerset talent was also celebrated with Beverley Baker from Glastonbury receiving The Grace Student Prize for her evocative painting Faceless and Lucy Bishop from Cheddar who has received the Somerset Art Works mentoring prize for her textile artwork, Textures of Memory.
Two Art A-level students from The Blue School, Elizabeth Adams and Gabriella Unciano, joined the WAC team as interns and helped set up the exhibition. Their discerning eye led them to select Braids at Darius Before Alexander for the Blue School Intern Award – the same piece that won the prestigious £2,000 Howden Art Award, presented to artist James Gosling for his drawing.
“This has been a wonderful year for WAC with such an exciting, dynamic offering of art from around the world,” said Paddy O’Hagan, Chair of WAC.
“And of course not forgetting the impressive artwork contribution from our community projects.”
One of these projects is the display of decorated skateboard decks with contributing artists ranging from portrait artist, Katie Jones, to Rowdy, a Bristol graffiti artist. It has drawn lots of interest with bids rolling in on the online auction www.galabid.com/skatewells to buy these unique works of art. The auction closes on November 30. All proceeds will go to the Wells Skatepark Project for a new skatepark in the city.
WAC continues until November 1. Entry to the exhibition is included with admission to Wells Cathedral.
• Picture: Guardians by Jane Sheppard