Knightshayes calls for help to make hundreds of stars for celestial Christmas art installation
The public are being asked to help make over 500 starry Christmas decorations at Knightshayes, near Tiverton, which will be strung together to make a one large celestially-inspired Christmas art installation for all to see at the National Trust property. It’s all to celebrate that the ornate and Gothic ceilings at the Devon property have inspired much of the National Trust’s Christmas collection this year, with motifs from the ceiling adorning many items being sold in the charitiy’s shops across the UK.
A closely-guarded secret, the final design of the celestial Christmas decoration will be revealed in November as an art installation, made using the smaller decorations the public created. It’s being designed by Bristol-based mixed media artist, Sarah Jayne Edwards.
The decorations are expected fill Knightshayes with the sights and smells of Christmas as visitors will be asked to help make them by rolling out a dough of ground cinnamon, apple sauce and PVA then helping shape them into festive shapes. Once dry, visitors can choose one decoration to take home and paint as they wish, then make another decoration to stay at Knightshayes. The latter will be embellished with a touch of sparkling gold paint and become part of the art installation which they can come back and see sparkling in the Victorian glass conservatory at Knightshayes in November.
They’ll also be used to decorate the many Christmas trees which adorn the much-loved traditional Victorian Christmas at Knightshayes.
The artwork has been commissioned to celebrate the fact that the elaborate Gothic designs which decorate the ceilings in the library and drawing room at Knightshayes in Devon, have inspired much of the National Trust’s Christmas collection this year. Ornate stars, leaves and opulent floral motifs by renowned Victorian designers such as John Dibblee Crace and William Burges, are adorning many festive National Trust goodies from sparkling Christmas baubles, patterned scarves and shopping bags, to festive mugs and traditional treats.
Sarah Edwards, the artist who is creating the Christmas installation said, ‘We’re hoping visitors to Knightshayes during October half-term will be up for helping us make something together as a community, knowing that their little piece of artwork will be hanging alongside many others to bring festive cheer in the run up to Christmas.’
Sarah has a background in willow sculpture and is inspired by natural resources in her workshops and art.
Visitors of all ages are welcome to come to the drop-in workshops, which will be run by Sarah during half-term and have a go at making the decorations.
One decoration will be free for the participants to take home, all others (up to two per participant) will be left to help decorate the trees in the house. There is no charge for the activity and normal admission won’t apply as the craft activity will be taking place in the stables, which is free to enter.
For anyone interested in helping to make the decorations, dates and times will be at 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm with up to 12 participants at each session. Date are Sunday 20 October, Monday 21 October, Sunday 27 October, Monday 28 October. Places are not bookable in advance, just pick up a free ticket on the day to take part.
For more information visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes
