During August, Wells Cathedral will be filled with art from around the world courtesy of the 2024 Wells Art Contemporary (WAC) exhibition. There is the global Gallery Show in the Cathedral cloisters and a unique Installation Show with 20 site-specific installations located throughout the Cathedral and gardens. Studies show that experiencing art can be really beneficial, as a source of inspiration, reflection and joy, but equally impactful is the act of making art itself. ‘When WAC started in 2012, it was with an aim to support emerging artists, and prove that you didn’t have to go to a big city to experience great art’ explains Paddy O’Hagan, WAC Chair. ‘However, we are equally passionate about engaging with the community which includes collaborating with local charities and groups that use art to help support wellbeing and mental health.’Three Somerset groups are involved this year. ‘We welcome back Imagine, Learn & Create (ILC), who exhibited with us in 2022,’ says June MacFarlane, WAC Community Projects Co-ordinator, ‘and we are delighted to introduce newcomers The Hive at Orchard Vale Trust and The Mendip School.’ The resulting three installations couldn’t be more different. ‘They have created their own communal piece of artwork that has brought huge benefits to both the individuals and the group.’.
ILC was started by Jess Hyslop in 2009, as a way to combine her experience and passion both as an artist and as a support worker. Her studio, situated in an idyllic setting near South Petherton, provides a safe space and nurturing environment for eighteen students, who attend up to three sessions a week. ‘Beyond the world of art, we also dabble in music, poetry, cooking, gardening and a range of fun activities to improve social and communication skills,’ says Jess. ‘Our “can-do” philosophy is seeing beyond barriers and disabilities and only seeing the abilities of each individual.’ The public interaction artwork for WAC is entitled ‘Terrain Journeys’, comprising panels of different terrains and wildlife. With guidance from professional tutors, students have learnt new skills for the piece, engaging with a variety of media and techniques including sewing, painting and clay modelling. Placing a strong emphasis on friendship and fun, Jess has found that her students have thrived. She cites several examples, including a student who, through a focus on discussing the processes involved in her artwork, has improved her verbal communication skills from monosyllabic responses to answering in full sentences and even initiating conversation. ‘The self-worth which comes from these activities is palpable.’
A similar group is The Hive at Orchard Vale Trust, which aims to support adults with learning disabilities, helping them to live life to the full. The Trust provides a residential service but through The Hive, it also offers a day service of activities for non-residents. Francesca Peters, the Community and Day Services Manager, is passionate about enabling people to achieve their potential and has curated an enriching programme of events including arts, crafts, gardening and Zumba. ‘I feel so lucky,’ she says. ‘How many people can go home at the end of the day and say “wow, I’ve just been paid for doing that”?’
Artist/maker Jan Ollis joined The Hive a year ago to run a weekly needlecraft session. ‘I have always believed in the importance of art for one's wellbeing,’ says Jan. ‘Creating a piece of work gives a sense of achievement and purpose. It is easy to lose yourself in the process and forget any other anxieties you may be experiencing.’ Jan is overseeing the project for WAC through this group, with an installation called The Pom Pom Chime. It incorporates a large wooden frame, thirteen chicken wire ‘cages’ with tassels to resemble bell pulls, and hundreds (500 to be precise) of pom poms. The studio was an explosion of colour on the morning I visited the group. ‘They love to experiment with colours and thicknesses of wool,’ says Jan. ‘One student has a phenomenal knowledge of world flags and has made all his pom poms in nations’ flag colours.’She was apprehensive initially about what the students would be able to create for the exhibition.‘But my experience over the last year has been - Do Not Underestimate! They have exceeded my expectations. The morning session is one of the highlights of my week.’
The third installation is from The Mendip School, a school for pupils aged four to 19 with a primary diagnosis of autism (ASD) and speech language and communication needs. Called The Mendip Bird Project, it has been led by Oren Harper, Art Therapist and Subject Leader of Art at the school and created in his GCSE group. ‘Although I have been immersed in art all my life, I have never felt it so valuable as I do now as I work in this school,’ he explains. ‘Here I see the weight and value of Art. It acts as a remedy for the societal chaos that we all absorb and it stitches wounds offering an escape route. In the words of artist Eileen Miller, "Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist."’ The installation focuses on bird sculptures that will be presented in a large bird cage. Linking together the school and art, Oren considers the birds as a metaphor. “As the project has evolved, the students have become more aware of their connection with the bird they are sculpting and how The Mendip represents a nest. It is safe and provides unconditional love,’ he explains. ‘Some feel their bird is in flight and they are strong enough to leave the nest; others are grounded, a little uncertain or restricted and there is evident tension inside education.’ The project has involved researching the work of artist William Kentridge, sketching in charcoal, creating features from torn book pages, sculpting in clay before moving to use Modroc plaster - a challenge in itself. ‘For many students at this school there is a tangible fear engaging with certain materials as they have sensory issues. Approaching a new substance is like peering down a bottomless cave. My aim here at The Mendip is to facilitate and provide the tools for young people.‘ It promises to be an eye-catching installation, but Oren says it is the unseen process which is so valuable. ‘Preparing, designing, thinking, communicating, creating, exploring, experimenting, overcoming challenges, falling and rising are the juicy ingredients for this incredible journey.’
It was important that all three pieces were a seamless addition to the prestigious Installation Show, as summed up by Jess: ‘The Wells Cathedral project is so important because it allows us to exhibit alongside artists, validating what we do and allowing the public to appreciate what is possible when we believe in ourselves and each other.’ ‘We are all so grateful to Wells Cathedral for providing us with such a magnificent setting for this exhibition,’ concludes Paddy. ‘Visitors are in for a real visual treat.’
Wells Art Contemporary will be in Wells Cathedral from August 3 -31. For more information, visit wellsartcontemporary.co.uk
