c4m @ Billericay Art Trail

Among events at the Billericay Art Trail today was a Big Draw workshop at Norsey Woods and an Arts Evening at St Mary Magdalen. commission4mission made a contribution to both events with Mark Lewis and Peter Webb taking part in the Big Draw plus Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens performing at the Arts Evening. These contributions were at the invitation of Art Trail organiser, Harvey Bradley.

The Big Draw workshop featured drawing, printing and digital images at Norsey Wood. Trail artists also included Julia Tanner, Dezadie (digital artist), and Lesley Cartwright. The Campaign for Drawing has one aim, to get everyone drawing; and this event certainly achieved that aim!

The Big Draw was followed by an Arts Evening at St. Mary Magdalen Billericay. This event had a varied programme which included poetry, music, digital projection, storytelling and dance and featured Tim Cunningham and Jonathan Evens (poetry), Colin Burns (music) and Dezadie (animations) plus Reflection Dance and storytellers Colin Taylor and Pat Roberts.

Billericay-based Cunningham has been called the poet of good endings and his apposite phrases served to illuminate the everyday encounters which characterise his poetry. Painter-turned-performer, Colin Burns, fused instrumental dexterity and melodic poetry on tracks from his debut album Emerald & Gold. Dezadie showed her Robot Chicken awaiting transmission animation. Reflection Dance performed on the themes of creation and Pentecost. The storytellers came with a mix of traditional tales and humorous originals, while Jonathan Evens shared a selection of poems on the theme of new beginnings.

Inside St Mary Magdelen the hub exhibition for the Art Trail could be viewed while outside were examples of the yarn bombing which had taken place throughout the Art Trail.

The Big Draw: Norsey Wood

The Big Draw: Drawing, printing and digital images. Norsey Wood, Saturday  20th  July, 10am - 3 pm. Free. Drawing opportunity for all.  Come and take part. Artist leaders - Mark Lewis and Peter Webb. Trail artists - Julia Tanner, Dezadie (digital artist), Lesley Cartwright. Meet by the Visitor centre. Children to be accompanied by an adult. Associated with the national Big Draw movement - www.campaignfordrawing.org. The Campaign for Drawing has one aim: to get everyone drawing!

The Big Draw is followed by an Arts Evening at St. Mary Magdalen Billericay with Tim Cunningham and Jonathan Evens (poetry), Colin Burns (music) and Dezadie (animations) plus a dance group and projected images from the Big Draw (Saturday 20th July, 7:30pm - 10pm).

Member's update

An exhibition of 'Stations of the Cross' by Valerie Dean is currently at the Diocesan Office for the Chelmsford Diocese (53 New Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1AT). Valerie's 'Stations' will be in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings until Friday 26th June. Visits are by arrangement during normal office hours, as the boardroom is in regular use. Please check access before you visit by ringing 01245 294400. Valerie is also exhibiting in Brussels during June.

Harvey Bradley is planning this year's Billericay Art Trail (http://www.billericayarttrail.co.uk/) and has included input from various c4m members.  The Big Draw is at Norsey Wood (http://www.basildon.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2410) with Mark Lewis and Peter Webb plus Joanna Bradley, Harvey Bradley, Dezadie and Julia Tanner (Saturday 20th July, 10am - 3pm). Arts Evening at St. Mary Magdalen (http://www.billericaychurches.org/html/st_mary_magdalen.html) with Tim Cunningham & Jonathan Evens (poetry), Colin Burns (music) and Dezadie (animations) plus a dance group and projected images from the Big Draw (Saturday 20th July, 7:30pm - 10pm).

Harvey is currently showing in an exhibition of work by selected members of ‘Anglian Potters’ at the Dolby Gallery Oundle (http://www.dolby-gallery.com/anglian-potters-selected-members-show-5-20-june-2013/) - until 29th June. 

The current show at the Tokarska Gallery (http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/current-exhibitions) has paintings by Sharon Drew which are modern-day Abstract Expressionism reinvented for the 21st Century. Imagine repeat-patterns disrupted by the gestural brushwork of American Artist De Kooning and the vivid hues of St Ives School British Painter, Patrick Heron. This show continues until 30th June.

commission4mission in Harlow

Two of our newest commission4mission artists - Ross Ashmore and Hayley Bowen - will be exhibiting with us for the first time in our Harlow exhibition, as part of the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival and the Heart 4 Harlow Festival.

The exhibition will also feature work by Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb.

This exhibition will be a pop-up exhibition in a vacant shop in Harlow Town Centre. The exhibition will run from 23rd to 27th May, 10.00am - 4.00pm, at 20 Broadwalk, Harlow CM20 1HT. There will be a lunchtime reception during the exhibition on Saturday 25th May from 1.00 - 3.00pm, which has been timed to follow on from the art talks taking place at St Paul's Harlow that same morning.

c4m members are also making several other contributions to the Festival. Mark Lewis will speak on the work of John Piper as part of a morning of art talks at St Paul’s Harlow on Saturday 25^th May. Bishop Stephen Cottrell will also speak on the ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ paintings of Stanley Spencer. 

On Monday 27^th May Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens will be contributing music and poetry to a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will also include music from the Holy Trinity and 6 Villages Choir plus Sheering Church brass band and poetry from Jane Grell, Mal Grosch and Jenny Houghton.

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival is an initiative which began in 2011 and involves quality events from a variety of Arts genre as a way of embracing and celebrating performing and visual arts and engaging with the local communities, their people and arts culture. The Festival is organised annually but in a different part of the Episcopal Area each year and in parallel with an already established community arts festival within the Area. This third Festival runs parallel to the Heart 4 Harlow Festival. 

Other events included in the Festival programme are:

• Photographic Exhibition - Wednesday 22nd May - Wednesday 5th June (except Sundays), Weekdays 10am - 12noon, Saturdays, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow, College Sq, Harlow CM20 1LP. Exhibition by Harlow Seniors Photographic Group.  
• Heart 4 Harlow Festival Launch – Thursday 23rd May, 6pm, Water Gardens Harlow CM20 1WG. Launch by the Chair of Council Maggie Hulcoop & a Beatles tribute band. 
• Schools Art - Weekdays 9am - 4.45pm, Gibberd Gallery, The Water Gardens, College Square, Harlow CM20 1WG. Artwork by local schoolchildren.

• Korban – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May, 7.30pm, Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow CM20 1LS. From the producer of the critically acclaimed 2011 Private Peaceful comes an original telling of the life of Jesus, with drama, dance and music. A large cast of actors and musicians deliver a newly envisioned portrayal of the revolutionary's remarkable story.
• Village Fair of visual arts – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Organised by the Harlow Arts Council as the beginning of their month long Art Festival. 
• Live stage entertainment – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Featuring local bands, choirs, soloists & dancers. Plus Charity Stalls in Broad Walk, Children’s Fun Fair in the Market Square & Open Week – end at the LeisureZone. 
• Art Talks & Run with the Fire digital exhibition – Saturday 25th May, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow. Lectures on the painter Stanley Spencer by Bishop Stephen Cottrell (10.30am) and on John Piper by Mark Lewis (11.45am). Refreshments from 10.00am. Digital art exhibition on Olympic/Pentecost themes showing from 10am – 5pm.

• Flower Festival – Saturday 25th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7HG . Includes: Celebrity grand opening (10am); Car boot sale (am); Farmers’ market (am); Hog roast; School choir singing (11am); Parachuting teddies (11.30am); Dog show (1pm pedigree classes, 3pm novelty classes); Variety of stalls; Wood turners; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; and Children’s activities.
• Big Lunch & Community Praise – Sunday 26th May, Various Harlow Town Centre venues. Bouncy castle and Games from 12.15. Lunch from 1 pm. 
• Flower Festival – Sunday 26th May, afternoon only, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: Festival lunch in the marquee (tickets can be purchased in advance, tel 01279 718281); Afternoon tea and cakes; Organ music (church is open from 2pm); Art exhibition and sale. 
• Flower Festival – Monday 27th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: 10km road race (11am) (to register, visit www.hbo-10k.org.uk); Children’s 1 mile fun run (12.30pm); Barbecue (with pre-race bacon butties); Crafts market; Wood turners; Variety of stalls; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; Harlow Falconry display; Kung fu demonstration; Children’s activities; Grand raffle draw (pm). 

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage. 

The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment. 

Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area

commission4mission will be creating a pop-up gallery at 20 Broadwalk in Harlow Town Centre for this year’s Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival. The exhibition will be open from Thursday 23^rd – Monday 27^th May, 10.00am – 4.00pm and a lunchtime reception will be held on Saturday 25^th May from 1.00 – 3.00pm.

c4m members are also making several other contributions to the Festival. Mark Lewis will speak on the work of John Piper as part of a morning of art talks at St Paul’s Harlow on Saturday 25^th May. Bishop Stephen Cottrell will also speak on the ‘Christ in the Wilderness’ paintings of Stanley Spencer. 

On Monday 27^th May Colin Burns and Jonathan Evens will be contributing music and poetry to a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will also include music from the six churches and poetry from Jane Grell, Mal Grosch and Jenny Houghton.

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival is an initiative which began in 2011 and involves quality events from a variety of Arts genre as a way of embracing and celebrating performing and visual arts and engaging with the local communities, their people and arts culture. The Festival is organised annually but in a different part of the Episcopal Area each year and in parallel with an already established community arts festival within the Area. This third Festival runs parallel to the Heart 4 Harlow Festival.

Other events included in the Festival programme are:

• Photographic Exhibition - Wednesday 22nd May - Wednesday 5th June (except Sundays), Weekdays 10am - 12noon, Saturdays, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow, College Sq, Harlow CM20 1LP. Exhibition by Harlow Seniors Photographic Group.  
• Heart 4 Harlow Festival Launch – Thursday 23rd May, 6pm, Water Gardens Harlow CM20 1WG. Launch by the Chair of Council Maggie Hulcoop & a Beatles tribute band. 
• Schools Art - Weekdays 9am - 4.45pm, Gibberd Gallery, The Water Gardens, College Square, Harlow CM20 1WG. Artwork by local schoolchildren.

• Korban – Friday 24th & Saturday 25th May, 7.30pm, Harlow Playhouse, Playhouse Square, Harlow CM20 1LS. From the producer of the critically acclaimed 2011 Private Peaceful comes an original telling of the life of Jesus, with drama, dance and music. A large cast of actors and musicians deliver a newly envisioned portrayal of the revolutionary's remarkable story.
• Village Fair of visual arts – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Organised by the Harlow Arts Council as the beginning of their month long Art Festival. 
• Live stage entertainment – Saturday 25th May, Water Gardens Harlow. Featuring local bands, choirs, soloists & dancers. Plus Charity Stalls in Broad Walk, Children’s Fun Fair in the Market Square & Open Week – end at the LeisureZone. 
• Art Talks & Run with the Fire digital exhibition – Saturday 25th May, 10am – 5pm, St Paul’s Harlow. Lectures on the painter Stanley Spencer by Bishop Stephen Cottrell (10.30am) and on John Piper by Mark Lewis (11.45am). Refreshments from 10.00am. Digital art exhibition on Olympic/Pentecost themes showing from 10am – 5pm. 

• Flower Festival – Saturday 25th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak CM22 7HG . Includes: Celebrity grand opening (10am); Car boot sale (am); Farmers’ market (am); Hog roast; School choir singing (11am); Parachuting teddies (11.30am); Dog show (1pm pedigree classes, 3pm novelty classes); Variety of stalls; Wood turners; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; and Children’s activities.
• Big Lunch & Community Praise – Sunday 26th May, Various Harlow Town Centre venues. Bouncy castle and Games from 12.15. Lunch from 1 pm. 
• Flower Festival – Sunday 26th May, afternoon only, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: Festival lunch in the marquee (tickets can be purchased in advance, tel 01279 718281); Afternoon tea and cakes; Organ music (church is open from 2pm); Art exhibition and sale. 
• Flower Festival – Monday 27th May, 10am onwards, St Mary’s Church, Hatfield Broad Oak. Includes: 10km road race (11am) (to register, visit www.hbo-10k.org.uk); Children’s 1 mile fun run (12.30pm); Barbecue (with pre-race bacon butties); Crafts market; Wood turners; Variety of stalls; Activities with artist in residence Pauline Brakspear; Harlow Falconry display; Kung fu demonstration; Children’s activities; Grand raffle draw (pm). 

Those visiting Harlow for the Festival are likely to also be interested in its other artistic attractions. Sited throughout Harlow is a collection of sculptures of national significance. In the main squares and precincts, in numerous public buildings and at several schools, sculptures by artists, both famous and lesser known, are to be found. The Gibberd Gallery houses the impressive Frederick Gibberd Collection of 20th Century British Watercolours and Drawings as well as staging temporary exhibitions and community displays. The Gibberd Garden was created by Sir Frederick Gibberd, the planner of Harlow New Town, who designed the garden and filled the grounds with sculptures, ceramic pots and architectural salvage. 

The Gallery at Parndon Mill has become a focus for the artists who have studios at Parndon Mill, and for those who work further afield. Gatehouse Arts has two galleries with a changing programme of exhibitions and events, promoting the work of resident artists and local community groups. Harlow Playhouse is a leading theatre venue providing a wide range of entertainment. 

c4m at the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area

commission4mission will be mounting an exhibition using a shop unit in the Harvey Shopping Centre Harlow from Thursday 23rd to Monday 27th May as part of the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival and Heart 4 Harlow Festival. Also in the Festivals will be art talks by Bishop Stephen Cottrell (Stanley Spencer) and Mark Lewis (John Piper) plus a performance evening at Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath which will include a range of local musical contributions plus music from Colin Burns and poetry from Jonathan Evens, Mal Grosch and Jane Grell.

The exciting programme for the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival also includes the premiere of Korban – a new play on the life of Christ; Art talks; Art and photographic exhibitions; Flower Festival (Hatfield Broad Oak); Music and poetry evening (Holy Trinity Hatfield Heath); and Big Lunch and Community Praise, among other events.

Newsletter No. 14 - November 2012

Completed commission: Wooden Reliefs

Peter Webb has recently completed our latest commission - two painted wooden reliefs for Dagenham Park Church of England School. The reliefs are heads of Christ and Mary Magdalene. This commission completes a circle for Peter as he first made wooden reliefs while an art teacher, as an aid in teaching Cubism to his pupils. The commission features as part of the brand new state-of-the-art school building with world class facilities into which the school has recently moved. This building, which was designed by Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, has been nominated for a British Construction Industry Award 2012 in the category of Building of the Year.

Christmas exhibition: Incarnation

commission4mission will launch itself in south London with a Christmas Exhibition entitled “Incarnation” featuring 15 artists working in a variety of media. The exhibition will be in Wimbledon Library Gallery, 1st floor, Wimbledon Library, Wimbledon Hill Road, London SW19 7NB. Opening times are 4 - 8 December, 9.30am-7.00pm (2pm on Saturday) with access through the Library. You are warmly invited to the Private View and Launch on Monday 3 December from 6.30 - 9.30pm or a Second Private View on Tuesday 4 December from 6.30 - 9.30pm. On Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7pm, the Gallery can be reached via a side entrance in Compton Road.

Peter Webb, Alan Hitching and Henry Shelton at All Saint‟s Woodford Wells

Barking Arts Festival events

c4m organised two events in October for the Arts Festival of the Barking Episcopal Area, run in parallel this year with the Woodford Festival. Mark Lewis, Francesca Ross, Peter Webb and others provided advice and opportunities to try creating portraits through drawing, painting and printing as part of the Big Draw event at St Mary's Woodford.

We also held an exhibition in the newly opened Atrium of All Saints Woodford Wells which included the 'Run with the Fire' digital art exhibition plus work by Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb.

Together with Kathryn Robinson, Performing Arts Adviser for the Barking Episcopal Area, Jonathan Evens also organised a poetry evening as part of the two Festivals. This Celebration of Poetry featured the poetry of c4m members Alan Hitching and Jonathan himself, as well as that of Tim Cunningham, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite and Jennifer Houghton.

The Passion: Reflections & Prayers 

Henry Shelton and Jonathan Evens have recently published their second collection of images and meditations on the Passion of Christ to raise funds for c4m. This collection is available initially as a double-sided A3 sheet containing all 14 images, meditations and prayers. The pair have aimed to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The mark making and imagery is minimal but in a way that makes maximum impact. The A3 format is designed for ease of devotional use and can be ordered (£3.50 + p&p) from jonathan.evens@btinternet.com. Their first collection - Mark of the Cross - remains available as a download from 12baskets (http://www.twelvebaskets.co.uk/view/178/store/pdf/mark-of-the-cross-pdf).

Member Profile: Richard Paton 

Richard Paton is a stained glass artist with 20 years in the trade who started Rainbow Glass Studios, based in Stoke Newington, North London, in 2001. In that time Richard has had hundreds of commissions which have required different techniques and designs to fulfil the very diverse briefs. These range from corporate work to individual commissions from the rich and famous through to work in Churches.

commission4mission exhibition

Our next exhibition is this Saturday (13th October, 10.00am - 7.30pm) in the newly opened Atrium of All Saints Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NH. There is no admission charge for the exhibition which is part of the Woodford Festival and the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area. 

This exhibition includes the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition plus work by Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. The exhibition is being held prior to an evening concert at All Saints by the Meljon Singers (https://www.facebook.com/events/246345185469093/).

Together with Kathryn Robinson, Performing Arts Adviser for the Barking Episcopal Area, Jonathan Evens has also organised a poetry evening which is also part of the two Festivals. This Celebration of Poetry will be on Friday 12th October, 7.30pm, St Paul's Woodford Bridge, Cross Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BT. There is no admission charge and the evening will include local poets, published poets, musical/storytelling interludes and a showing of the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition. Among those reading their poetry are: Tim Cunningham, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching, Jennifer Houghton and Jonathan himself.

The Big Draw

The Big Draw is underway this afternoon at St Mary's Woodford as part of the Woodford Festival and the Arts Festival for the Barking Episcopal Area. Mark Lewis, Francesca Ross, Peter Webb and others are providing advice and opportunities to try creating portraits through drawing, painting and printing.

St Mary's Woodford is a key location for the Woodford Festival and they hosted the official opening of the Festival by the Mayor of Redbridge before the opening concert of the Festival; an organ recital by Lucia Aiche including pieces by Bach, Standford, Rheinberger, Utterback and Fletcher.

The church is also hosting an art exhibition, a 45-minute all-age service (Behold the Man) celebrating images of Jesus from different centuries and places, and a concert by the Crofton Singers (7.30pm) with a programme of five centuries of choral music alongside young musicians from Bancroft's School includes Madrigals, Finzi's Part Songs, Spirituals, Barbershop & popular songs – ‘Autumn Leaves’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’.

Other Festival events with which commission4mission is involved include:

Art exhibition - Saturday 13th October, 10.00am - 7.30pm, The Atrium, All Saints Woodford Wells, Inmans Row, Woodford Green, IG8 0NH. No admission charge. Exhibition of art works by members of commission4mission, an arts organisation which aims to encourage churches to commission contemporary art. Includes the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition. This exhibition will include work by Jonathan Evens, Alan Hitching, Mark Lewis, Janet Roberts, Francesca Ross, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. This exhibition is being held prior to an evening concert at All Saints by the Meljon Singers (https://www.facebook.com/events/246345185469093/).

Together with Kathryn Robinson, Performing Arts Adviser for the Barking Episcopal Area, Jonathan Evens is organising a poetry evening which is also part of the two Festivals. This Celebration of Poetry will be on Friday 12th October, 7.30pm, St Paul's Woodford Bridge, Cross Road, Woodford Green, Essex IG8 8BT. There is no admission charge and the evening will include local poets, published poets, musical/storytelling interludes and a showing of the 'Run with the Fire' Olympic-themed digital art exhibition. Among those reading their poetry are: Tim Cunningham, Jane Grell, Malcolm Guite, Alan Hitching, Jennifer Houghton and Jonathan himself.