Many of East Wight’s wonders, both built and natural, were re-imagined in wonderful ways at Ryde Library last week in the first of a series of free art and craft workshops with artist Hannah George for Vectis Housing’s Wild About Wight project.
Dozens of budding architects made and decorated their own working Bembridge windmills while rare species of the East such as the Scarce Chaser dragonfly and Bechstein’s Bats were immortalised in arty Down to the Coast keyrings.
Maria Wilkinson, Communities Team manager at Vectis Housing explains:
“From King’s Quay to the outer edges of Bembridge, round to Sandown Bay and south to St Catherine’s, East Wight is absolutely full of architectural heritage, interesting histories and wildlife that’s rare or unique to the area. Through Wild about Wight, part of the Down to the Coast programme, we’ve teamed up with the Island’s artists, wildlife specialists, historians and more to help introduce communities to all this doorstep diversity.
“Art’s a great starting point for finding out more or looking more closely and differently at the things we take for granted. Hannah’s work includes illustration, textiles, paper and other media and includes intricate paper-folding techniques so as well as learning about East Wight heritage, we’re getting to explore our creativity too!”
Wonders of East Wight arts and crafts sessions will be travelling round East Wight between now and October. The next sesssion is at Branstone Farm, Apse Heath on Monday 22nd August from 10:00 – 12:30 where as well as making something rare and wonderful like raspberry-coloured field cow-wheat or St Catherine’s lighthouse, visitors can also take a look at the farm itself. There’s no need to book and everyone’s welcome.
Vectis Housing’s Wild about Wight project has also teamed up with Arc Consulting to help celebrate the end of summer with a coastal safari. Under the Pier takes place, under Ryde Pier, on Friday 2nd September from 16:30 – 18:30 and again, everyone’s welcome.
