In an amazing show of collaboration, 32 colourful flags made by community groups in and around Sidmouth are now flying high over the high street and Fore Street and will be on display until September, so everyone can enjoy them over the summer.
The Festival of Flags, led by Sidmouth School of Art in partnership with Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub is one of seven art projects forming part of a two year programme funded by the Arts Council England and other local funders.
The flags were designed as part of 12 free drop in design and make workshops managed by Sidmouth School of Art, with most of them taking place at Sidmouth Craft Hub, a community space that is fully equipped with a range of crafting materials.
The project was led by Sheena Heueston, who has worked as Costume, Design and Wardrobe Mistress at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts for the past 30 years. She said: “It was such a great way to get many people involved from local organisations and charities. From expert sewers to beginners who said they couldn’t draw, all produced fantastic banners that decorate the streets of Sidmouth this summer.”
The flags were designed by and represent the following groups:
- Sidmouth Biodiversity Group
- Friends of the Byes
- Sidmouth Plastic Warriors
- River Sid Catchment Group
- Sid Valley Help
- Sidmouth Hospice at Home
- Oasis Café
- Sid Life – independent supported living
- Sidmouth Sea Fest
- Sidmouth Science Festival
- Sidmouth Folk Festival
- Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival
- Sidmouth College x 2
- Norman Lockyer Observatory
- Dissenter
- Chit Rocks Beach Ramp Project
- Branscombe – a resident’s view
- Sidmouth Hot Cross Bun Committee
- Sidmouth Steppers
- Sidmouth U3A
- The Collective in Sidmouth
- Sidmouth WI
- Primley WI
- Sidmouth Repair Café
- Sidmouth Cycling Campaign
- Sidmouth Running Club
- Sidmouth Choral Society
- Sid Vale Storytellers
- Sidmouth Patchers and Quilters
- Sidmouth Photographic Club
- Sidmouth School of Art
Sidmouth School of Art’s Artistic Director, Coco Hodgkinson, said: “This project has been so joyous! People have fed back to us that they loved the opportunity to be creative and be part of something positive that highlights the fantastic breadth of groups that are such an important part of our community. We asked people to really think about how they could be represented visually without words to create a connected art installation. We are so delighted with the outcome and look forward to welcoming many more groups to the project next year.”
Sidmouth School of Art is grateful for the support from the Sidmouth Patchers and Quilters, Angela Crowther and the expert sewers in this group stepped in to make some of the flags and finish some with hems and backing ready for hanging. Sidmouth Town Councillor, Rachel Perram, also lent her textile skills supporting a number of groups to make their flags. Thanks must also go to Sidmouth Town Council who were a great support in helping with the installation of the flags.
Sidmouth School of Art Development Director, Louise Cole, said: “Our projects are a pathway to wellbeing, offering people of all ages the chance to be creative and develop skills, meet new people and have fun. Sidmouth Festival of Flags is a wonderful example of the wellbeing power of art and creativity. The co-creation process is often a lifeline to reduce loneliness, helping people to feel purposeful and have a sense of belonging and to feel valued as the artwork produced is on public display and people feel proud to have been part of something bigger. The flags look stunning and we are so pleased that from children at Sea Fest, young people at Sidmouth College to a 90 year old resident at Culver House, people of all ages and walks of life were excited by the idea and gave their time to it. There are so many shared benefits, we hope it is enjoyed by residents, visitors and businesses in the town.”
The aim is to build the collection with more and more groups and organisations designing a flag to display each year – to register your interest contact info@sidmouthcoastalcommunityhub.org The Sidmouth Festival of Flags project is being led by Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub and visual arts charity Sidmouth School of Art (1199539), whose mission is to involve the community and build creative confidence and wellbeing through art and whose vision is to make Sidmouth the artwork.
Find out more details about the project – where all the flags and which groups they represent are listed. A postcard of the flags will be available soon on the Sidmouth School of Art website Sidmouth Festival of Flags | Sidmouth School Of Art (sidmouthart.org)
Postcards will also be available at the Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre.
Sid Life, from Supported Independent Living, added: “We had a fabulous time attending the two workshops, 6 of our residents came along to the design workshop where they were happy to show off their artwork. Our final design was created by one of our residents, we are all looking forward to seeing everyone’s amazing flags hanging. We really appreciate the help and support you gave us and friendly atmosphere.”