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Cheddar Individuality Project

Cheddar Individuality Project

Individuality

 

Imagine a trail of clay figures made by people in Cheddar and the Cheddar Valley. Each handmade figure an example of creativity and individuality. Each figure unique!

Artist Bridget Hemmings is leading the Cheddar Individuality Project with two further ceramic artists Ella Phillips and Lucy Brown. Working with community groups, organisations and individuals they aim to create around 1,000 ceramic figures (roughly 13-15 cm tall).  The idea is inspired by the artist Anthony Gormley’s Field installations. The project focuses on “Individuality” to celebrate that everyone is different and everyone is special, so each figure will be unique. The figures will be created out of 6 different types of clay to reflect our society today.

There are two parts to this project first creation and then installation.

Creation and Installation

Creation – the clay figures are being made in a series of workshops taking place in locations around Cheddar between Jan and May 2023. These have taken place at Bridget’s home studio, in local businesses and organisations, at the mendip AONB rangers station, local Men’s Shed and WI, in social and care settings, at the local School, and in public workshops and pop-up events. For those who can’t attend a workshop in person it has been possible to make your sculpture at home and send it back to Bridget and the team for firing and inclusion in the exhibition.

Installation – the figures will be brought together in a one day exhibition at Cheddar Catholic Hall on  21 May 11am-4pm to see them all together. Then they will be installed in a public art trail – An opportunity to explore Cheddar and see the artworks placed in different settings around the town. The trail will be launched on 9 July 2023.

Email the Cheddar Individuality Project to get involved

Exhibition Alert – Hold the Date!

Exhibition 21 May 2023 11am-4pm. Join us for a one day pop-up exhibition of 1000 Cheddar Individuals all together at the Catholic Church Hall, Tweentown, Cheddar.

Walking Trail opens 9 July. You can see how many individuals you can spot in a walking trail through the Cheddar Valley.

Make a donation to support Cheddar Individuality Project

Donate to help Bridget reach her goal

Artist Bridget Hemmings is working with groups including The Mens Shed, local schools, a residential home and supported housing, the WI, Ukrainian support group, local industrial units, to make sure that people who dont usually go to creative workshops can get an opportunity to try something new, come together as a community and create something amazing!
The project has been so popular we’re raising money to make sure Bridget can reach as many people as possible can be included. Can you help us to meet this challenge? With your help Cheddar Individuality Project will be reach more of the community so as as many people as possible can be included.

Are you in a community group in or around Cheddar that would like to host a making session – the Project would like to hear from you.

Email the coordinator

BBC Interview

Following an interview on BBC Somerset Radio in January BBC Somerset returned to visit Bridget Hemmings and makers at an English Class in Cheddar to find out why local people are making 1000 clay figures for an exhibition this summer.

Watch this video

Meet the Artists

Bridget Hemmings

Ceramicist and Project Manager

Bridget is a ceramicist with a successful business as both a maker and teacher of ceramics. As a qualified teacher (BEd) Bridget was a teacher  for 11 years 7 of which were as a head teacher. Now retired from teaching Bridget is focussed on her art. She was Chair of Cheddar Artists group for 5 years.

Bridget Hemmings

Ceramicist and Project Manager

Ella Phillips

Ceramicist

Ceramics Degree – BA Hons

Ella Phillips has been a studio potter and production thrower for over 18 years

Ella has worked with SPACE & Rural Life Museum, as well as organising and leading  Community Art Projects at Cheddar First School. 

She currently runs ceramics courses from own studio

Ella Phillips

Ceramicist

Lucy Brown

Ceramicist

Ceramics  Degree  – B A Hons

Ceramic tutor, ceramics work in schools and Lucy also runs her own ceramics business.

Lucy Brown

Ceramicist

Heidi Shakespeare

Promotion

Heidi Shakespeare

Promotion

Meet the Individuals