Showcase
WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL has a total of five stonemasons , one of the largest at a Cathedral in this country . This is not surprising considering that , in addition to the ongoing work they continue which goes back centuries to when the Cathedral was first built , they have more recently also been involved in conservation as part of its £ 20.5 million capital works campaign .
Results of that work have recently been revealed in the form of the complete conservation and cleaning of two of the walls of the South Transept .
Whilst up there , the masons discovered a heavily weathered statue , right at the top . It was so badly weathered that it was not possible to repair so one of the masons took on the task of recreating it ,
based on the sort of design that would have been used centuries ago when it was originally carved . There was a special twist , however , the facial features on the statue are based on those of the outgoing Dean – who retired on July 14 !
Stonemasonry tends to be a hidden craft , often taking place in workshops or high spaces , and sometimes , when completed , not even visible from ground level . However , it is an ancient craft which has meant that our nation now boasts some of the finest architecture in the world . Whilst a few of the techniques used today are modern , most are using similar tools to those centuries ago .
Stonemasons from around the UK visited Winchester Cathedral for the first of what is hoped will be a regular event in the Cathedral ’ s calendar recently .
Many of the 20 stonemasons who visited from cathedrals around the country to participate in the recent stone carving competition are awardwinners , experts in this specialist , age-old craft .
The masons carved publicly in the Cathedral ’ s Inner Close , where visitors watched them at work , found out about stonemasonry , tried carving and enjoyed a festival atmosphere .
The finished works were placed on display , prior to a public auction .
Scripted
Entries for short film scripts running under 15 minutes are now being accepted by The
Hampshire Picture Company .
If you are a writer , director , producer or a combination of all , you will need to provide a four sentence pitch of your film . If the pitch has potential , your script will be invited for submission .
Following consideration , the successful applicant will receive support from The Hampshire Picture Company to produce their film . Entry closes on August 31 and the winner will be announced on September 30 .
Contact admin @ thehampshirepicturecompany . co . uk for full details . Note : funding is not provided and it ’ s available for Hampshire residents only .
Aesthetica Art Prize
THE Aesthetica Art Prize 2016 is open for entries . Now in its 10th year , the Prize presents an opportunity for emerging and established artists to showcase their work to new international audiences and further their engagement in the art world .
The categories for entry are : photographic and digital art ; painting and drawing ; three dimensional design and sculpture , and video , installation and performance . Submissions close on August 31 . To enter go to www . aestheticamagazine . com / art-prize / enter .
Drawn from Life
THIS Arts Council collection is being exhibited in Winchester Discovery Centre , at Jewry Street , until August 21 .
Artists have been drawing the figure for centuries , from carefully composed life drawings to people caught unawares at leisure or work .
This exhibition brings together some of the finest drawings in the Arts Council Collection , with work on display from more than 40 artists , including Henry Moore , Lucian Freud , Walter Sickert and David Hockney .
www . residentmagazine . co . uk Resident 23