Presents...
THE SKY BEGINS AT MY FEET
A Community Project 2022
Selected by Telford & Wrekin Council to design and produce a sculptural piece of work for the top of The Wrekin and we invited Year 6 pupils in primary schools and a range of diverse community groups to be part of the project that will see individuals' work displayed publicly for many years
to come.
We hope to enhance the already-existing features of The Wrekin, and aim to enrich the experience people have when visiting the site, which is famous for having the most diverse geology found in the world.
Throughout the 12 weeks allocated to the project ( a very tight time frame!) over 1700 clay tiles were individually designed and created. The team delivered 32 workshops in schools and community groups to discuss and gather local stories and memories of the Wrekin.
We gathered local rocks to develop glazes and produced a design based upon the results of the community led workshops.
Stories of 'Fern Tickets', favourite local indigenous plants and wildlife alongside poetry and words of encouragement for future generations to read were all collated.
The selected tiles will now be a lasting piece of art created by the public for years to come
Our Favourite iconic landmark. The Wrekin.
MEET THE TEAM
We are a collective group of professional artist makers and educators. We all share a connection to Wellington, Telford.
We span the creative mediums in Clay, Paint, Collage, Wood and Metal and the Written word. We have many years experience of working with a vast array of community groups. Together we aim to provide high quality arts to our local communities and to strive to put Wellington on the map as a thriving artistic Town.
ANNA VON CRAYON
Artist & Poet
My main theme is art therapy, healing through creativity. Encouraging others to embrace expressing emotions through art, poetry and music
CARIS JACKSON
Artist
Caris is a mixed media collage artist working with vintage papers and recycled materials. Working as an arts educator, project manager and as co-founder of Octopus Arts Shropshire.
EMMA WILLIAMS
Graphic Designer
Emma has 20 years experience in Graphic design and Marketing. Her previous role as an Art Director for a children's book publisher allowed her to collaborate with amazing brands: Disney, Star Wars, Minecraft, Angry Birds, Barbie, Winnie the Pooh, Thomas & Friends and Mr Men to name a few.
JACKIE COYLE
Mosaic Artist / Painter
I am a mosaic artist and painter. I have worked on a number of community art projects and just love to share the physical and mental benefits of art with others.
JO FROST
Artist
Everyone is an artist. Working with young children has allowed Jo to share her love of art and all things creative, helping to inspire the next generation whilst exploring her own artistic voice.
JOHN SNOCKEN
Artist
Working from The Pottery at The Belfrey Arts Centre producing wheel thrown wares in both stoneware and porcelain. Glazes and decoration use local clays, rocks and wood ash.
LUCY THOMAS
Co-ordinator
Lucy is a practicing fine artist and printmaker with over 20 years of teaching experience in FE and secondary education. Grade one (Ofsted) qualified Lecturer of Art & Design.
NAOMI MIDDLETON
Local Community Arts Facilitator, Organiser and Maker.
As well as enjoying hand building vessels in porcelain, reflecting my local area. I'm a well known arts advocate due in part to my previous years of service as an Arts Development Officer.
SHARON GRIFFIN
Artist
Sharon Griffin is a fully qualified and experienced Art and Design Lecturer, international Ceramic Sculptor and Community Workshop Leader at the Belfrey Pottery. Sharon is a selected member of the Royal Soceity of Sculptors and exhibits work throughout the UK.
WAYNE CHISNALL
Artist
Wayne Chisnall is a Royal Society of Sculptors Bursary Award winning artist, whose work has been featured in books, magazines, online articles, feature films and on TV. He exhibits nationally (including venues such as the V&A) and internationally, and has a sculpture in the permanent collection of the new Black Gold Museum, Riyadh. Wayne’s early sculptures were life-size fibreglass versions of model kits but he now works predominantly with found materials.
‘The Sky Begins at my Feet'
Dedicated to our dear friend Andrew McIntyre.
A mis quote from Jandy Nelson when discussing all things important at the pottery before he left for China in the winter of 2019. RIP MAC - Andrew McIntyre 2020
Painting the path with footsteps from this creative community
A collaboration of cultures with strong bonds of unity
Travelling through lifetimes of this old market town
A hill of geological magnificence it surrounds
People as varied and unique as the rocks and minerals at our feet
History and future combined
Our art adorning the top of the Wrekin
Where our people stop and let the view sink in
Whether sunrise or sunset
The walk is worth all the effort
Take your heart up closer to the stars
Embrace natures art and enjoy ours
We give thanks to our town and home
Whether Salopian or visitor together we grow
- Anna Von Crayon
