This project will incorporate the skills of the groups mixed media talents; Stained glass, acrylics, materials/embroidery, felt-work and much more, which together will result in a large montage artwork of “Stonehenge” embellished by the artists involved from over 15 varying sized digitally printed canvases produced by Phil Snelgrove of Belmont Fine Arts.

Irene Colquhoun and Claire Farnworth initiated the project concept; the group were invited to join in on a competition to create a design of “Stonehenge” to suit the project. “The quality and quantity of artwork entered into the competition was very high” said Irene and was won by AVA member Kathy Gevaux “a beautiful painting in shades of vibrant blue and in ink, The decision was difficult with so many versions to chose from, however the winning painting works well with the project in hand.” 

“It was quite a challenge” said Phil Snelgrove….” I was asked to print and stretch 15 individual canvases from one original watercolour painting; where each Artist involved would receive a part of the Stonehenge montage which they were to then re-create in their own medium, I think we were all quite surprised at how good the 15 canvases looked before being manipulated by the Artists, we could almost sell the concept of printed canvases separately!”

The project is in aid of Charity, with the profits going to Naomi House and The Stars Appeal – both charities work for very poorly children for which the AVA have not only set up 2 websites but also will be collecting at Carnival on the day of 31 May 2008.

Several stages were set up:

Phase 1:          Invite participants to paint a version of Stonehenge

Phase 2:           Judge the competition to choose a winner

Phase 3:           Create the montage of 15 canvases

Phase 4:          Handing out the 15 canvases

Phase 5:            “The mock-up” to see how the concept looked

Phase 6:           The finished piece and if any changes need to be made

Phase 7:           To add on the fancy-bits; jewellery, embroidery etc..

Phase 8:           The finished piece!

The project is an expensive exercise in terms of materials and time so the group decided to contact local businesses to help with funding. To date they have received donations and sponsorships of various kinds from:  Country Leisure, Courtyard Gardens and interiors, CAP photography, Avon Security, SIRT Developments, Blue Onion Ltd, Stonehenge Construction, Zinknuts Plumbing and Belmont Fine Arts themselves, to top it all Holiday Inn Amesbury have offered to buy the finished piece (if they like it at completion), offering a fabulous permanent home to exhibit it in their spacious Reception area.

Arrangements are currently being made for the AVA “Stonehenge” Artwork to be launched at Holiday Inn (Stonehenge), Solstice Park in May 2008 this will run along with the Amesbury Carnival and hopefully bring a lot of people into Amesbury.    The AVA are also looking into exhibiting all the other “Stonehenge” paintings, which were entered into the competition but were not selected for the project at a location to be confirmed

“We wanted to pull our skills together and produce something special.  Stonehenge was a unanimous decision” said AVA Treasurer Claire Farnworth.  “If anyone is interested in helping us out or sponsoring us please let us know ASAP and we’ll come and have a chat with you, after-all Stonehenge is on our doorstep and yours too!!”

If you would like to donate to the two Charities; Naomi House or Stars Appeal (Caring4kids), which is in aid of a new wing at Salisbury Hospital for poorly children then please either donate directly to:

www.justgiving.com/avastonehenge-naomi
or
www.justgiving.com/avastonehenge-stars

Please contact us if you are interested in either sponsoring parts or all of the project or purchasing the final piece, all profits of the sale will go to charity.

Note:  AVA Logo Designed by Martin Field formerly from the AVA