For more than 30 years Crediton Arts Centre has been offering a busy programme of classes, workshops and live events from its base in East Street. But since it was forced to close in March, the Centre has been finding new ways of working and fundraising, including the auction of some stunning wooden sculptures, as Administrator Jack Robson explains.
The Arts Centre certainly hasn’t been idle during the summer months, when we joined forces with the Town Team and Town Council to co-ordinate the popular Share in the Square events. These proved hugely successful and, judging from the feedback we received, were a real life-saver for some people during such a difficult time.
We have a long-standing reputation for ambitious outdoor projects, from our Shakespeare in the Square productions to, more recently, our annual Busk It music events. We’ve got something up our sleeve for Christmas….. details to follow soon.
We’ve also been working hard on our fundraising, to plug the enormous gap in our income stream. We were most grateful to receive a small business grant from Mid Devon District Council and Crediton Town Council has also provided welcome support. Our loyal Business Partners - Ashgrove Kitchens, Wortham Jaques and Peck&Strong - have continued to donate while many of our members, or Friends, have generously increased their annual subscriptions, to help tide us over.
More unusually, we have been donated two beautiful wooden sculptures by the local artist Norman Yendell, which we have decided to auction in aid of the Centre.
The sculptures were donated by Maggie Cartridge, who has downsized her home and wanted the sculptures to go to a ‘good home’ in Crediton. They were originally purchased from Dewsmoor Art in 1985. Dewsmoor was the home and studio of the Crediton based sculptor Wetold Kawalec.
The two pieces donated are, Primavera 1971 made from cherry wood, (33 x 20 x 45 cm) and the smaller piece Origin of Form 1968, (18 x 13 x 18 cm).
The catalogue of the 1985 exhibition shows that over 50 pieces of Yendell’s sculpture were for sale as well nine poems by the artist. Prices ranged from £50 to £1300, not an inconsiderable sum in 1985.
Norman Yendell (1906 -1984), a dentist by profession, lived and worked in Exeter, later moving to Longdown. Passionate about the natural environment, he took up wood turning in retirement and his work often had a mystical or religious theme. One of his sculptures The Feeding of the Five Thousand can be seen in Crediton Parish Church.
The auction will be by sealed bids. If you would like to make a bid, please bear in mind and be guided by the range of the original sale price.
Please send or deliver your bid for either or both pieces, with your name and contact details, to The Crediton Arts Centre, East Street, Crediton EX17 3AX in an envelope marked for the attention of Tim Salter.
Any queries please contact Tim Salter at artsel52@gmail.com
