Hidden Talents arts exhibition at Michelham Priory
The 2007 Hidden Talents art and craft exhibition will be held at the historic Great Barn at Michelham Priory in the first week of October. Artists and craft-workers from Wealden have contributed nearly 200 exhibits to make a fascinating show. There is something for everyone to enjoy including wax art, watercolours, embroidery, photography, illustrated poetry, sculpture and much more. The exhibition runs from Tuesday, October 2, until Sunday, October 7 at 10.30 am–4.30 pm daily.
Cllr Margaret Kirkpatrick, Cabinet Member for Housing and Young People, said: “Hidden Talents has been so good at getting more people in Wealden’s sheltered housing involved in the creative arts. You can really see the difference it makes to people to develop the skills they have under the surface. The exhibitions are inspirational, and this year it showcases some of Wealden’s younger creative talents alongside some of our older ones.”
The event was started three years ago by residents of Wealden District Council sheltered housing schemes and has really taken off. Last year’s exhibition succeeded in inspiring visitors to take up classes themselves. In addition to organising the exhibition, Hidden Talents has started running art and craft classes for Wealden’s sheltered housing schemes and some of the class work will be on display.
Retired artist and resident, Angela Bedingfield said: “John Constable said that painting is but another word for healing. Especially for sheltered housing residents, you become aware of just how much the quality of their lives has been enriched through the journey of artistic self-discovery and the incentive provided by this annual exhibition should not be underestimated”.
There will be demonstrations throughout the week, including felt-making, hot wax painting, Chinese brush painting, hand-made greeting cards & pyrography (burning images in wood and leather). In some cases visitors can have a go themselves.
Community grants from Wealden District Council and The Big Lottery Fund help make the event and the Hidden Talents classes possible. Cllr Chantal Wilson, Chairman of Wealden District Council, will be presenting awards at the official opening, which are being judged by Sara Cooper, Curator of Collections at Eastbourne’s Towner Art Gallery. In addition, the ‘Visitor’s Vote’ will determine the award for the most popular exhibit. This, and the other awards, are generously provided by Great Art Supplies of Alton.
The Flower Workshop of Eastbourne are sponsoring the exhibition. Owner Richard Kennedy said: “We are very pleased to be associated with this exhibition. We are known for our innovative and creative work, and, with floristry being both art and craft the synergy is obvious.”
New to this year’s event is the Art Discovery Trail and Competition which challenges visitors to journey through the exhibition, priory and gardens and add a little creativity of their own. As a contrast to more traditional exhibits, Wealden sixth form college students will be displaying their thought-provoking work alongside arts and crafts by groups like Friends of Beech Grove Unit Craft Group. Buxted Church of England School will become the first Primary school to be exhibited at the show. Their pupils produced four impressive banners based on the iron industry in Buxted. Finally, Wealden District Council staff will also have their work on display.
