FINAL REFLECTIONS

The Sculpture installation, Art display and Open Morning on Saturday (25th September) were a great success! Plenty of visitors came to the Centre throughout the event - cars overflowing all the way up the road to the compost zone - many with positive comments about the work produced. The day was really helped with glorious sunshine to make the sculpture sparkle and delight! Various Press arrived for photo shoots and we hope the results will lead to increased awareness of the great work at Carymoor and Somerset Art Works.

I've loved being a part of this project. So many wonderful people have contributed and it's been fantastic to experience such a wealth of caring, generosity from individuals who want to nourish our world - and I'm not just talking about Julia's cakes!

Original templates on show

Participants' wirework on display - above and below

Photographs and drawings illustrating the project's development

Three of the major contributors to the project - Mario, Teresa and Debbie

The Dragonfly and Nymph sculpture installed by the pond in Carymoor's sensory garden

Lift off!

The sculpture has now been delivered to Carymoor. See images below of final stage...

Finally, the Dragonfly is in position - so far balancing on just two legs - but it's up!

Close-up

And at its destination - after a hairy journey!

COME TO THE OPEN MORNING AT CARYMOOR ON 25th SEPTEMBER TO SEE THE FINAL PIECE IN SITU!

Day before installation - the sculpture's nearly complete!

The Carymoor sculpture has taken longer than anticipated to complete, but almost done now! Here are a few snaps of the last stages. Working night and day, I've added layers of wire netting to the Dragonfly's eyes and body, finished the Nymph's head, shaped both bodies more and made two bulrushes for the stand. I will be up early tomorrow morning to weld on the last legs, ready to deliver in time for the Open Morning on Saturday.

I hope we have plenty of visitors!

Building up the body

Detail

More focus on the eyes with layers of wire and netting

Wings now welded on!

In position with the bulrushes - no legs yet...

Night-time welding up a ladder! The Nymph and bulrushes are now on their base... more to do early tomorrow morning!

OPEN DAY TO VIEW THE ART WORK!

On Saturday 25^th September, Carymoor Environmental Centre will be holding an Open Day featuring the exciting premier viewing of the newly installed Carymoor sculpture, an exciting intergenerational art project which has been running over the Summer (details of project below). Art work from the workshops will also be on display at Carymoor’s Open Day as part of Somerset Art Weeks. Combined with one of Carymoor’s quarterly nature days, entitled ‘Goats, Tigers and Elephants – a celebration of Somerset’s Moths,’ it promises to be a fun-filled event for the whole family.

Initially instigated by Somerset Art Works via ‘The Company of Voices’ project and inspired by the magic of Carymoor, I led a series of taster, workshop and sculpture sessions involving groups of volunteers from different age groups. In addition to making individual pieces, all participants contributed to the creation of a large recycled steel and wire sculpture depicting a dragonfly emerging from a nymph cast. This 3 metre piece will be suspended over the beautiful pond area in the Carymoor sensory garden. The sculpture will not only be a visual delight but will also help to educate future visitors of all ages about sustainability and the benefits of recycling that are at the heart of Carymoor’s philosophy.

The day also offers a beginner's exploration of the weird and wonderful world of moths and their caterpillars, looking at which moths have arrived in the moth trap overnight, with a walk of the site to highlight the plants most useful to them. There will also be moth-themed family-friendly activities going on in and around the centre and fun quizzes for children.

A wonderful opportunity to visit the Centre, there will be refreshments available, including homemade soup from the gardens and Julia’s delicious homemade cakes. The Centre will be open between 10am and 2pm. For more information email info@carymoor.org.uk or phone 01963 350143.