26 July 2023

We are excited to announce that our amazing group Thursday Threads will be displaying their group installation piece ‘Archway of Hope’.

From 5 August until 2 September Wells Cathedral will be hosting an exciting exhibition of contemporary art organised by Wells Art Contemporary (WAC). In addition to the Gallery Show of approximately 125 shortlisted artworks in the Cathedral cloisters, WAC is also proud to be unveiling the Installation Show. This comprises a collection of approximately 30 site-specific installations located throughout the Cathedral and gardens, which this year includes four community installation artworks. Thursday Threads have been selected to be a part of this exciting opportunity.

 

 

‘Wells Art Contemporary has a twin rationale,’ says Paddy O’Hagan, WAC Chair. ‘To support and inspire artists and also to engage with the community. Studies show that both making and experiencing art has a part to play in improving the quality of life for individuals and communities. Over the years we have collaborated with charities and groups that use expression through art to help support wellbeing and mental health.’

WAC is working with three local groups: Heads Up, the Wells based charity which provides activity-based learning and development for adults who are affected by mental health issues; The Lawrence Centre, a day-care centre for the elderly in Wells, and Creativity Works in Radstock, whose informal community social group, Thursday Threads, focuses on mental wellbeing through textiles.

 

The Thursday Threads group is creating a rainbow Archway of Hope. The freestanding arch will display a group cloth, with contributions hand stitched by everyone to symbolise the ways members are supportive of each other. Thursday Threads is led by art psychotherapist, Samantha Hickman. ‘People took their cloths home to work on, this meant that between the sessions they had a connection with the group, which is a safe space for them. All that meaning is coming through in the group cloth.’ Visitors to the exhibition will then be invited to tie coloured rags to the frame to create a rainbow.

June MacFarlane, WAC Community Projects Co-ordinator has been regularly visiting the different sessions. ‘I am overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and passion of everyone involved,’ she says. ‘I want the groups to feel that their work deserves to be showcased alongside the main contenders so we will be positioning each one to ensure they fit seamlessly within the exhibition.’

 

To find out more about Wells Art Contemporary please visit their website