Culture Spark community art exhibition unveiled this month

The exhibition, which is inspired by Pallant House Gallery's 'Sussex Landscape - Chalk, Wood and Water' exhibition, kicks off with a free family friendly drop-in workshop in Chichester city centre (23 South Street) on Saturday 18 March between 10am and 4pm.

People will also be able to enjoy the exhibition when it travels to Petworth House and Park the following day — Sunday 19 March, Mother's Day — with a free drop-in session in the Battery House between 11am and 3.30pm.

Following a series of district-wide creative workshops led by nine local professional artists, the exhibition displays works created by school and college pupils and members of local community groups. All of the pieces have been inspired by the Sussex landscape and have been made using as many recyclable and/or natural materials as possible.

Visitors to the exhibition workshops, which are free to attend, can create a bunting flag inspired by the local landscape, which will then be added to a community art picture. Those attending the workshop in Petworth can also create unique paper flowers using coloured paper and recycled willow — these can either be added to the community flower garden on site or be taken home to give to someone special.

"We're really excited to be able to share this exhibition, which has been created by local people of all ages and who have all been inspired by our beautiful district and local landscape," says Cllr Roy Briscoe, Cabinet Member for Community Services and Culture at Chichester District Council.

"We'd like to thank all of the volunteers, families, community groups and young people who took part in the Culture Spark art sessions and who have allowed us to showcase their work, and to the artists who led the sessions and shared their creativity and expertise. We're also very grateful to Chichester Cathedral and Petworth House and Park for partnering with us on this project and for helping us to bring this community artwork into the spotlight for everyone to enjoy.

"This exhibition builds on the success of two Culture Spark events that have already taken place this year. The first was a Community Sand Drawing workshop in East Wittering, in which artist Mark Haddon Ford worked with the local community to create a sand masterpiece on the beach. In February, an 'Art in Nature' day saw members of the community join Mark at Petworth House to create a work of art in the grounds, using the wood cuttings that the gardeners gather. We've received fantastic feedback in response to both events and we hope that the exhibition workshops will be just as popular.

"The Culture Spark project is all about embracing and celebrating art and culture, and our district is full of inspiration. We look forward to sharing details of further events and activities that are planned as part of the programme very soon."

The Culture Spark project has received a total of £75,000 funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which is being used to extend the Culture Spark programme until 2025.

For more information about the exhibition workshops, please email: culturespark2022@gmail.com, or follow @CultureSparkUK on Facebook and Instagram for the latest event updates.

Date of Release: 3 March 2023

Reference: 4210