Saffron Walden Museum announces Summer Art Trail
A community art trail has been officially announced for the summer holidays as part of Saffron Walden Museum's Uttlesford Open exhibition.
"Wild about Walden" will see large lion sculptures dotted around Saffron Walden town centre, at places of cultural and historical significance. Each lion will be decorated by a school, community group or by the public at special events around the town, making art accessible to all.
Alongside these will be a 'pride' of smaller lions, which are which are looking for local businesses to adopt them to display in their shop windows. Adoption fees of £15 per lion will go to Walden Community Shed who have kindly made the lions on behalf of the museum. Saffron Walden Community Shed is a charity which provides local people a place to gather, make and mend things, undertake DIY-type projects, drink tea and relax as whilst combating loneliness.
There will be an accompanying Wild about Walden map trail which would-be lion spotters can use to locate the lions and find out information about the different venues, businesses and groups involved in the project. The trail will run from 22 July to 5 September.
Charlotte Pratt, Learning and Outreach Officer at Saffron Walden Museum and the project lead, said: "Making art accessible through trails such as Wild about Walden is crucial especially as the town's population grows. Community art projects help to bring people together and introduce people who are new to the area to the amazing history, culture, and facilities of Saffron Walden. Wild about Walden will offer everyone a great day out, exploring venues in the town they may not have visited before or might not feel are for them.
"I can't wait to see the finished lions around the town and hope everyone who has participated enjoys spotting their contribution."
The art trail is part of the museum's wider Summer of Art which also includes the Uttlesford Open 2023 exhibition featuring artworks by many local artists and makers, both amateur and professional. The exhibition will open at the museum on 22 July and run until 29 October. The museum will also be holding a packed programme of creative activities over the summer for children and families.
Partnership venues which have already signed up to host a lion include Saffron Walden Library; Saffron Walden Town Council's sites at Bridge End Gardens, Jubilee Gardens and Close Gardens; the Tourist Information Centre; St Mary's Church; Heath Kane Studio and Gallery; King Edward VI Almshouses and, of course, Saffron Walden Museum!
Charlotte added: "There is still time for local venues and businesses to get involved in hosting a lion, we really want this trail and the art exhibition to showcase all the amazing creativity that is happening in Saffron Walden and the wider district. If you would like to host a lion at your business or venue, please get in touch soon!"
If you are interested in hosting a lion, please contact Charlotte, at cpratt@uttlesford.gov.uk.
Wild about Walden has been made possible thanks to funding from The Art Society Saffron Walden and practical support from Saffron Walden Community Shed.
7 June 2023