ACT Newsletter June 2024

With less than a week to go before the start of our ACT with the Arts Climate Festival, June 22nd-29th, I wanted to update you on all the wonderful events we have organised.

There are now more than 350 artists taking part, plus 1,000 children.

We have events happening in 13 different locations across Teignbridge.

All the artists have given their services free of charge as they want their voices to be included in the effort to raise awareness and concern about climate change. The use of the venues has also been provided free of charge.

Many thanks to all involved.

Join us for the Opening Ceremony

There’s lots happening on the opening day of the festival, June 22nd.

The official opening will take place at St Leonard’s Clock Tower in Newton Abbot from 10.30am, with plenty of noise from the Tano Taiko Drummers, a short open-air play by The Bishopsteignton Players, and the unveiling of the Tree of Hope, created by local schoolchildren.

You can also take part in a Public Erasure by artists Frances Gynn and Sally Fisher. Public Erasures draw attention to the increase in endangered species due to climate change, habitat loss and plastic pollution, with the audience invited to ‘erase’ a drawing of the featured species.

You might bump into Poly Mer, an artist drawing attention to plastic pollution, who will be wandering around during the festival. If you see her, please stop and say hello!

The art exhibitions taking place at Sherborne House and the Maltings Taphouse, both in Newton Abbot, open on the first Saturday, and will be open to visitors every day during the festival week.

Drop off any entries for the Children’s Recycled Art Competition at Newton Abbot Library between 10am-2pm. The entries will be displayed until Friday 28th June for everyone to view during normal Library opening hours.

Finally, don’t miss the Nature on Your Doorstep event at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot from 11am-3pm.

Art exhibitions

The two art exhibitions will display thought-provoking visual artworks on themes of climate change awareness, climate justice, and endangered species.

Artists exhibiting include: Frances Gynn RWA, Nigel Moores, Beatrice Corsetti, Tuong Nguyen, Simon Temblett, Sarah Lovett, Judy Harington, Mabel Harris, and Jo Holt.

Vietnamese artist Tuong Nguyen, says: “The festival is a valuable opportunity for me to join other artists in sharing ideas and inspiration to tackle climate issues through art for more people. I believe the more we sense and are aware of nature’s value and its connection to us, the more responsibly and actively we will live and act for the environment.”

Read more about the exhibitions here.

Films, performances, workshops, poetry

There are performances, exhibitions, film showings and workshops happening throughout the week in different locations, including Teignmouth, Chudleigh, Bovey Tracey and Ashburton.