Cross Houses Events
Throughout the duration of the project a series of events will be held, celebrating different stages of completion of the project such as the installation of each new artwork.
Benchart was launched to the community at the Grand Opening of the New Community Centre in Cross Houses in March 2006. Ruth and Huw were present to discuss all aspects of the project. Martin Smith, Benchart’s official documenter, was also present with video camera in hand! There was a display of images of inspiring artworks and clay carving demonstrations.
Ruth and Huw gave a presentation introducing ‘Benchart’ to a Shropshire audience at the Arts Café, Belmont Arts Centre in Shrewsbury, on 1st March.
The first event that Benchart held was an Open Weekend in July 2006 during the Shrewsbury Summer Season. Here members of the public had the opportunity to carve brick clay and model clay heads, which have been fired and will be incorporated into public sculptures. Throughout the weekend, professional artists could be seen in action, including Ivan Williams and Clinton Challinor woodcarving, Ruth Gibson brick clay carving and Wren Miller along with Ruth and Huw modelling clay heads. Everyone could join in and have a go at clay modelling and carving and many heads were made over the weekend.
There was also a demonstration by Shropshire’s spinners and weavers. This event was combined with Cross Houses first village fete, with stalls, refreshments and a ‘lazy’ car boot sale.
On display were all the fired paviers carved by people attending ‘bencharts’ workshops. Indoors there was also a large display of photographs, text and poetry documenting the project so far.
Ruth and Huw along with volunteers, built a wood-fired pizza oven and freshly baked pizza’s were on sale. On Saturday evening there was a caleidh in the community centre, with local musicians the ‘Melomanics’, along with a barbecue and pizza’s from the clay oven.