Artand solstice success

The Artland North Devon Hartland Peninsula open studios event was a great success this last Solstice weekend. Over 25 local artists exhibited their broad spectrum of works with visitors coming from far and wide. 

The event culminated with a bring and share barbecue, open mic music sessions and the burning of The Memory Pyramid attended by over 50 local people and participants. 

The 12 foot high pyramid was designed and constructed by Clive Brocklehurst. The structure, made from foraged branches from local woodland, was erected looking out to sea at Cheristow above Hartland. 

 

Visitors were invited to tie memories to the pyramid and by the end of the longest day it was festooned with paper and decorations all holding a special emotion for the person who put them there. With the help of local young people the pyramid was then crammed with more waste wood and set on fire as all stood and watched. 

Clive commented "It was more successful than I had hoped and looked amazing as it burnt in the dark. People embraced the idea of celebrating good memories and letting go bad ones. There were lots of emotions contained in the pyramid by the end, but I was most moved by one local young girl, Phoebe, who said she had recently visited the Imperial War Museum and had sat in a Spitfire cockpit simulator. She said ‘It was just horrible… I want to write No More War’ so she did and we tied it right at the apex of the pyramid…" 

Thanks to everyone who made the event so special. 

Clive Brocklehurst 

White Hare Studio Gallery 67 The Square Hartland EX39 6BL 01237 441539