TAS Wessex Area sponsored 'As Old as the Hills' A community project rooted in the environment and heritage

As Old as the Hills was a community art project rooted in environment and heritage, culminating in an immersive contemporary art exhibition plus events in the iconic Zig Zag building, Glastonbury for Somerset Art Weeks Festival (21 September - 6 October 2024).
‘The Old as the Hills project… enhanced the connection between people and the natural world through direct interaction and close observation of nature in many and varied forms.’ Damon Bridge, Senior Project Manager RSPB
Community engagement was at the heart of our project. Over several months leading up to our exhibition, we delivered a programme of activities, which continued during our show. We worked collaboratively with schoolchildren, families and adults - including those with learning disabilities - in workshops, walks and talks, exploring our central themes. Issues from global warming and industrial pollution to local heritage and biodiversity, provided the exhibition with a diverse range of voices. Participants learnt new skills, and developed ideas together using local foraged materials. These led to a series of collaborative community artworks being shown as part of our exhibition.
"Taking on the role of both curators and artists, Fiona Campbell and Jan Ollis have brought together a dynamic new exhibition in the inspirational Zig Zag Building Glastonbury. The show explores ideas around truly unique and fascinating histories of the Somerset Levels and showcases cutting edge artists that have responded to our fragile local landscape, with this invigorating multimedia exhibition." Freeny Yianni Owner CLOSE Gallery and Co Chair of SAW.
As Old as the Hills looked at the ancient layered history of Mendip and the Somerset Levels – interdependent landscapes which have shaped and been shaped by humans for millennia. The project prep began in November 2023. Engagement via workshops, walks, talks and performances ran from June. Artists held residencies for a month prior to opening on 21 September. Work responded to the site, history and heritage of the building as Morlands leather/sheepskin factory, its Bauhaus architecture, and deep history/geology of the landscape.

Audiences & Engagement:
We’ve been delighted with the level of engagement and attendance by mixed ages and abilities in our workshops, walks, talks and performances, in addition to the final exhibition. One of our aims was to appeal to young people. We were especially pleased to have so many under 12s (20%), teenagers (15%) and 20-35 yr olds (10%) join in and visit. We provided colouring worksheets for very young children during the exhibition. It was really wonderful to see participants visit their work in the show and feel part of it. ‘It was really cool to see my artwork up on display’ Sophie (yr 3)

Total participants/interactive audiences: 391
Volunteers: 15+
Instagram followers: 590+
Total visitors during Somerset Art Weeks Festival: 1000

Legacy:
We printed 100 copies of our beautiful catalogue, all were distributed/taken by visitors. Postcards were purchased. Films were created by Andy Ralston, Gillian Taylor & Dhiney Ramos. Several professional photographers took pictures that will ensure great legacy.

Comments

‘A fantastic and fascinating day. Lots of different expertise, practical activities and new people to speak with. I spend a lot of time on the levels and still learned a lot. Thank you!’ Lesley Rowan, participant
‘…To be guided by so many amazing artists who shared their processes with us meant I had such an incredible day. So many activities to get involved with. Great talks, fantastic opportunity to be part of a collective community project where everyone’s creative input was valued. Thank you’ Deborah Davis, participant.
‘What a fabulous project. So absolutely right for the Zig Zag… a marvellous reminder of the ingenuity of ancient man and earth-dwellers. I’ve had a lovely sociable and relaxed time here!’ Kiki Jerome, participant
‘I hope that you come to our school again’ Flora & Evie (yr 3)

Report by Fiona Campbell

Photographs by Jan Ollis

For further information visit: As Old as the Hills [https://www.instagram.com/as.old.as.the.hills/]