Art talks and exhibition reception

The Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival has featured a full day on the visual arts today with art talks, the Run with the Fire digital art exhibition and Harlow Seniors Photographic Society Exhibition at St Paul's Harlow plus a lunchtime reception at the commission4mission exhibition in 20 Broad Walk, Harlow Town Centre CM20 1HT.

Bishop Stephen Cottrell outlined the background to Stanley Spencer's Christ in the Wilderness paintings before sharing meditations based on particular paintings in the series. Mark Lewis summarised the career of John Piper, highlighting his interest in abstraction, typographical content, war commissions, colour and contrast, stained glass commissions before ending with his murals including the Emmaus mosaic at St Paul's Harlow.

Many of those at the art talks then came across to view commission4mission's current exhibition as part of our lunchtime reception. The exhibition continues until 4.00pm on Monday 27th May.   

commission4mission in Harlow

commission4mission's exhibition for the Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival opened today and continues until 4.00pm on Monday 27th May. This is a pop-up exhibition at 20 Broadwalk, Harlow Town Centre CM20 1HT.

The exhibition features work by Ross Ashmore, Harvey Bradley, Elizabeth Duncan Meyer, Jonathan Evens, Ken James, Mark Lewis, Caroline Richardson, Henry Shelton, Joy Rousell Stone and Peter Webb. The exhibition includes ceramics, drawings, fused glass, paintings, photographs, sculptures and wooden reliefs. Much of the work being shown is for sale.

There will be a lunchtime reception during the exhibition on Saturday 25th May from 1.00 - 3.00pm, to which all are welcome and which has been timed to follow on from the art talks taking place at St Paul's Harlow that same morning. Click here and here for more information on other Festival events.

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.

Art in the Boardroom: Valerie Dean

Following exhibitions by The Ven. Martin Webster and Andrea Farmer, the Art in the Boardroom programme at Chelmsford Diocesan Office now features the work of commission4mission artist Valerie Dean.

The set of Stations of the Cross paintings which Valerie is currently showing in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings (Chelmsford Diocesan Office) have a very clear and intense focus on details which are evocative of the whole, as can be seen from the photographs she has taken of the set which can be viewed here. Valerie is keen to discuss ways of making these Stations available for any church that would be interested in having them. 


Valerie Dean's Stations of the Cross can be seen in the Boardroom at Guy Harlings (Diocesan Office, 53 New Road, Chelmsford CM1 1AT) from Monday 20th May – Friday 28th June 2013 during office hours. However, because the Boardroom is in regular use it is best to ring 01245 294400 before visiting to check boardroom access.


Guy Harlings is a Grade II listed building, constructed in about 1716-1721 by John Comyns, later a Baron of the Exchequer, and re-fronted at the beginning of the 19th century. Three parts of the building will be open: the front hall, containing 16th century linenfold panelling with a frieze of carved heads, made of timber probably from the Tudor house on this site; the board room; and the resources centre (bookshop). The rooms overlook an expansive lawned garden. The name of the building comes from Guy Harlings who inherited a brewery on the site in 1453. The building has housed the offices of Chelmsford Diocese since 1951.

Second commendation awarded by DAC

A second commission4mission commission has been commended by the DAC in this year's awards for the Diocese of Chelmsford. The first was the Holy Water Stoup designed by Mark Lewis for St Margaret of Antioch, Ilford. The second was for the Four Evangelists windows designed by Henry Shelton and etched by Richard Paton for All Saints Hutton. The windows feature symbols of the four Evangelists complementing the earlier set of windows in the opposite screen which features symbols of seven Saints.

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. 

No One May See Me And Live

Christopher Clack is showing a new series of work entitled No One May See Me And Live as part of the Dulwich Festival and Artists Open House 2013. His work (which also includes a set of large format Black and White portraits) can be seen at 73 Oglander Road SE15 4DD on Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May and Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th May, 11 am - 6pm.

Members' update: Clack, Evens and Pavliv-Tokarska

Christopher Clack has been included in the Creekside Open 2013 exhibition selected by Paul Noble - 2 - 26 May, Thursday to Sunday from 12noon to 5pm, free entry at the Art in Perpetuity Trust (APT), Harold Wharf, 6 Creekside, Deptford, London SE8 4SA. 


APT is a registered charity committed to promoting the value of creativity through the visual arts.  Located in South East London, APT supports an exceptional resource and facility for artists and the wider community. With the provision of secure studios and high quality exhibition space as a cornerstone, APT aims to foster an environment where creativity may flourish, forging links and collaborations with other professional bodies both locally, nationally and internationally.

3 MAKERS (I.Byers / A.Doidge / R.Harrison) is an exhibition of Ceramic sculpture at the Tokarska Gallery. Private View - Thursday 9 May, 6pm - 9pm. Show runs 9 May - 1 June, Thursday - Saturday, 12 - 7pm. Evening talks on contemporary ceramics by Keith Harrison on Tuesday 14 May 2013, 7 - 9pm. Talks by Bonnie Kemske on Thursday 23 May, 7- 9pm. See http://tokarskagallery.co.uk/3makers for more information.

Jonathan Evens has written a feature article for the Church Times on the work of Polish artist Marian Bohusz-Szyszko at St Christopher's Hospice.