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Arts Feature
'In Another Light' Finale
Contemporary art lights up the dark hours!
As the spring equinox takes place, Croft Castle and
Meadow Arts bring contemporary art exhibition In Another
Light to its grand finale. If you haven't had chance to make it
over yet, the exhibition features commissioned work by
David Ogle, who uses light as a sculptural material in largescale
installations. Mark Richards’ evocative work uses
marble and light to transform the medieval church. A digital
projection by Rebecca Farkas on the outer walls brings
Croft’s interior outside, on a grand scale: Rebecca is also
making an interactive artwork on the night.
City of Culture
On 12th February 2015 a vibrant
workshop was held to consider what
it would take for Worcester and its
environs to bid for City of Culture
2021.
The workshop, which took place at Worcester Racecourse
and was organised jointly by Worcestershire Local
Enterprise Partnership, Worcester City Council and
Worcestershire County Council, attracted more than 75
representatives from arts organisations, businesses, local
authorities, sporting clubs and cultural and other partner
organisations. The event, which was open to all stakeholders,
sought to bring as many interested parties as possible
together and understand:
* The process to make a City of Culture bid
* Who would need to be involved
* What a local bid could look like
* Resources required, financial costs and benefits
* The feasibility of a potential bid.
Attendees heard from Gary Woodman, Executive Director
of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Duncan
Sharkey, Managing Director of Worcester City Council about
the economic benefits of such a bid, the resources required
and what Worcester and the surrounding areas already have
to offer. Robert Keeling, who is Worcestershire LEP's
Westminster Cabinet Office representative, provided the
perspective of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
(DCMS) and the latest information on that Department's
current consultation process. Until the consultation outcome
is known, there could be some changes to the process
including in which year the next City of Culture will be
effective - currently programmed for 2021.
Keith Blundell, a consultant with extensive experience of
having worked on previous bids including those successful in
Liverpool and Hull, provided a real insight into what would be
8 SLAP MARCH
With events and activities to take part in for all ages, there
really is something for everyone: the exhibition is open; artist
David Ogle will be there to talk about his work; Rebecca
Farkas invites visitors to add to a new temporary artwork in
the grounds; join in a special lantern parade around Croft
accompanied by medieval music with the Ledbury Waytes;
warm yourself at the big bonfire; have your face painted and
make your own glow drawings.
Croft Castle & Parkland, Herefordshire
Saturday 21 March, from 7-9pm. More details at:
www.meadowarts.org & www.nationaltrust.org.uk/croftcastle
required for a successful bid and why places like Chester had
not been successful. It was particularly interesting to get
Keith's views on what constituted a city with pride and one
with confidence in terms of having the belief that they could
bid and win the city of culture status. A further understanding
of the resources and finances required was also gained,
together with a better feel for the range of arts, cultural,
sporting and other opportunities available. For example, Hull,
which was awarded the status for 2017 is planning an event
for every day of the year whilst anticipating significant
benefits for the economy.
An engaging and vibrant workshop followed where
attendees could provide their feedback, consider what could
be Worcester's unique offer, how any challenges could be
overcome and how their organisations could possibly be
involved.
Overall it was a positive event and now there is much to
consider as all feedback from the workshop is collated and
considered by the three organisations to understand what the
next steps should be. If a decision to bid is made, there will be
a considerable amount of work that needs to be done in
getting to the bidding stage and decisions over who will be
involved in making it happen.
Watch this space!
Steve Wilson