Sidmouth’s first Winter Lights Festival – Sidmouth on Sea – Save Our Seas
Friday 9th and Saturday 10th, Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th February 2024 from 5.30pm to 8.00pm.
Sidmouth School of Art will be hosting this new free community event for Sidmouth designed as a social event and exhibition of 14 installations created by lead artist Zac Greening, other artists, the Repair Café and by Sidmouth Primary School and Sidmouth College.
A festival map provides a guide to festival goers from the billboard, along the Ham border into the Sensory Garden, along the Riverside Walkway and to the end of the Ham for food, drinks and dj sounds.
“Priceless” a new thought provoking Wallspace artwork goes on display on the billboard overlooking the Ham car park as part of Sidmouth Winter Lights Festival.
This new work is by eARTh Vader, a collective of likeminded artists who anonymously create artwork whose narratives centre around our socio-economic relationship with the natural world. “Priceless” has been created as a response to the artist’s belief that the world is now seen merely as a commodity to be consumed and traded for mankind’s’ own personal gain.”
A postcard featuring Priceless and the map will be available to buy as a keepsake and in support of the festival.
Coco Hodgkinson, Sidmouth School of Art: “Everyone is invited to wrap up warm and head out to join us with friends and family – true Scandinavian style whatever the weather, to get outdoors try something new and take a look at the artworks.”
Sidmouth College photography students work will feature as a projection in the Sensory Garden.
Sidmouth College teacher Mrs Fry, Head of Art and Photography, said
“Year 10 students exploring the theme of Our World, reflecting on the environment and coastline around them and influenced by the work of photographers Aaron Siskind’s and Raul Reiffer, have produced their own responses. They are excited for their work to be exhibited in an unusual way, in an outdoor space, in this new innovative event for Sidmouth.”
Curated by lighting artist Zac Greening, the installations are the artists responses to the festival theme Save Our Seas. Each artwork is inspired by the challenges faced by climate change and aims to encourage conversations and connections and empower actions that can be taken both individually and collectively.
Donations to support the festival can be made via SSA’s website Donate | Sidmouth School Of Art (sidmouthart.org) or in cash at the event.
The festival is a new sustainable cultural event timed to coincide with local schools half-term, the perfect activity for children, friends and family.
The event is free and from 5pm to 9.30pm festival goers will be able to stop and chat and get a drink at the Fishermen’s Shed Bar, hot drinks and cakes at Daisy Blue Delights, and a warming bite to eat at Sea Sides and Tacos with Fish and Chips by Sidmouth Trawlers in the Fishermen’s Yard.
The project is supported both by Sidmouth School of Art and a range of funders including Creative East Devon Fund, Sidmouth Town Council, Sidmouth Hotels, Potburys of Sidmouth and Voyage Travel Marketing and Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce with in-kind support from Fords South West.
More details about the project can also be found here Sidmouth On Sea – Save Our Sea Winter Lights Festival ’24 | Sidmouth School Of Art (sidmouthart.org)
SSA is constantly evolving new partnerships and collaborations to engage more people in creative art projects that are relevant and connect with different groups and in some way are “Making Sidmouth the Artwork”.
Follow Sidmouth School of Art on Facebook and Instagram @sidmouthschool_art for latest updates.
Sidmouth School of Art is about creativity and wellbeing through art and culture. Co-founder David Shrigley, OBE: “Art is about discovering what something means to you and expressing what you think and feel.”
