Salthouse 01
Exhibition 2001
The location of Salthouse Church, with the sea and marshes in front and the heath behind, suggested an exhibition about the environment for this first pilot project. There were many artists in Norfolk sharing a concern for the environment and working with natural materials to create their art. Fourteen of these leading contemporary artists were selected by NNEP and invited to collaborate in this project and make new site-specific work. This concept served to unify a range of work and encouraged the production of pieces which complemented the natural beauty of the church. The exhibition was entitled down to earth, which helped to demystify contemporary art and relate the works to everyday life.
The exhibition was opened by Steve Harris, conservationist and Salthouse resident, and was supported by Awards for All, North Norfolk District Council, Norfolk Rural Community Council and Norfolk County Council.
down to earth attracted some 5000 visitors between 4 July and 5 August 2001 - art lovers, holiday makers, walkers, parties of school children, groups of people with special needs, and casual passers-by. The exhibition attracted a serious and highly favourable response from arts professionals across the region.
In addition to Kathleen McFarlane, who curated down to earth and was artist-in-residence, the exhibiting artists were:
• Roger Ackling
• Judith Campbell
• Bruce Gernand
• Lee Grandjean
• Steve Kelly
• Peter Martin
• Liz McGowan
• Louise Richardson
• Jennie Rumens
• Andrew Schumann
• Gordon Senior
• Nigel Skinner
• Mike Toll
• Annie West
Ten community workshops were held in sculpture, toning, felt making, raku firing and glazing, paper making, jewellery from natural materials and kite making. A further five schools workshops were held in Blakeney, Kelling, Langham, Sculthorpe and Tunstead.
To widen community participation and to explore links with other art forms, the programme of events also included two poetry readings and a storytelling session, all centred around themes complementary to the exhibition. Two workshops devoted to overcoming creative blocks and undertaking self-expression, led by a professional counsellor, were also held.