Down Rectory Lane
Thank you to all those who joined us for this wonderful event, which took place at Rectory Lane Cemetery on Friday 27th & Saturday 28th August 2021. We were delighted to welcome so many people, of all ages, to participate in the creation of a piece of unique community artwork.
Thanks to National Lottery funding, we collaborated with Rectory Lane Cemetery in Berkhamsted, on an exciting two-day interactive public art event, 'Down Rectory Lane'. It was developed from an original concept by our former artist-in-residence Angela Rossi, and commemorated loss, and celebrated hope, as we start to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.
We invited people to join us in the beautiful green space of the cemetery, to capture their feelings and hopes for the future and stitch them onto fabric strips. These strips are now being woven into two giant handmade wooden looms, creating a public work of art to record our community's thoughts and experiences during this historic period. The completed artwork will feature in an exhibition at Open Door in January 2022.
We invited people to join us in the beautiful green space of the cemetery, to capture their feelings and hopes for the future and stitch them onto fabric strips. These strips are now being woven into two giant handmade wooden looms, creating a public work of art to record our community's thoughts and experiences during this historic period. The completed artwork will feature in an exhibition at Open Door in January 2022.
We were delighted that so many members of the community, from all ages and walks of life took part, and we had volunteers on hand to help visitors stitch their message to be included. It was wonderful to see families sitting together and stitching, and friends and strangers chatting together as they worked. Children (and adults!) enjoyed doing some mindful colouring in, and much tea and cake was enjoyed - there were 9 varieties on offer, all baked and served by our wonderful Open Door volunteers.
On both days, children enjoyed storytelling sessions in and amongst the trees, and visitors were treated to live music as they contributed to our amazing piece of community artwork....
Hamish Currie (www.bcfrm.com & www.BURPmusic.com), a prominent member of the local music community, being the founder and leading light of Berkhamsted Campaign for Real Music, sang mostly traditional songs, accompanying himself on guitar, on Friday. He was followed by Don Perera (www.donadamperera.com) a Hertfordshire born accomplished guitarist, encompassing styles and genres that include Classical, Modern, World, Rock and Electronic later in the day. On Saturday Blue in Green (nderby.wixsite.com/blueingreen), a local jazz trio/quartet played a selection of Bossa, Swing, Blues and their own compositions. What a treat it was to be surrounded by such wonderful live music!
On both days, children enjoyed storytelling sessions in and amongst the trees, and visitors were treated to live music as they contributed to our amazing piece of community artwork....
Hamish Currie (www.bcfrm.com & www.BURPmusic.com), a prominent member of the local music community, being the founder and leading light of Berkhamsted Campaign for Real Music, sang mostly traditional songs, accompanying himself on guitar, on Friday. He was followed by Don Perera (www.donadamperera.com) a Hertfordshire born accomplished guitarist, encompassing styles and genres that include Classical, Modern, World, Rock and Electronic later in the day. On Saturday Blue in Green (nderby.wixsite.com/blueingreen), a local jazz trio/quartet played a selection of Bossa, Swing, Blues and their own compositions. What a treat it was to be surrounded by such wonderful live music!
Thank you to everyone who came along and made history with us - those who stitched messages of meaning and hope onto fabric strips, who drank tea and ate cake, coloured in, danced to our live music, and enjoyed the green space of the Cemetery - it was wonderful!
Work now turns to the community art work - it will be fascinating to see the work progress as the messages and silks, created by people of all ages, are woven into the looms over the next few weeks. The finished
panels will be a very special community work of art, due to be on display at Open Door in January 2022.
Finally, just to say a huge thank you to all of our team at Open Door - we couldn't have put the event on
without the help of our wonderful staff and volunteers - and Kate and team at Rectory Lane Cemetery, for
hosting and collaborating with us so beautifully.
Rectory Lane Cemetery is a three-acre green space rescued from decades of neglect through a transformational community programme funded by the National Lottery. Find out more about this valuable community asset and the amazing team of volunteers that manage it here.
hidden_treasures_call_for_submissions.pdf |