Meadow Arts is working with National Trust Herefordshire this summer to deliver a programme of artistic activities at The Weir Garden, exploring how visitors can creatively engage with the landscape.

We have continued to deliver a programme of artist-led activities at The Weir Garden, exploring the project’s themes through making, walking, and other creative activities that inspire conversation.

On Friday 12 July, we invited artist and lecturer Daniel Pryde-Jarman to create a one-day site-specific installation at The Weir Garden. Daniel worked with young people from Earl Mortimer College to take part in the making of this collaborative artwork.

Dan ran the session for the young people to create their own sculptures responding to the landscape. Using both reclaimed and new construction materials, they worked in groups to build structures that framed certain aspects of the landscape, creating shapes and spaces they could move in and around.

The young people worked collaboratively to problem solve, and with supervision used power tools to create a temporary pop-up installation that was only there for the afternoon. 

It was fun, I want to make more sculptures!

Young person from Earl Mortimer College

Learning and engagement is central to all the work we do. We work with schools, groups and communities across Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire, providing opportunities to creatively engage with contemporary visual art.

Meanwhile, artist Chris Poolman engaged with NT users through ‘Thinking Sticks – Stick Hire Service for Dogs’. Dog walking has recently been introduced to The Weir Garden and we wanted to find out how this has impacted National Trust users’ experience. Our furry friends were more than happy to participate in the research!

Save the date:  The project will culminate in a final public showcase at The Weir Garden 7 – 23 September 2024, with artistic activities on Saturday 14 September.

Photos by Tegen Kimbley.

The project is generously funded thanks to support from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund. It will provide £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and places and supporting local businesses, people, and skills. For more information, visit the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.