Sidmouth 'one-day museum' created in artist's workshops

The initiative was organised by Sidmouth School of Art in conjunction with artist David Bellingham.

Three workshops were held at Kennaway House in the week leading up to Saturday, April 13, the day of the ‘museum’ exhibition. During those sessions, led by David Bellingham, participants were encouraged to create artworks and stories about items they had found or brought from home, documenting them in the style of a real museum.

Workshop activities included drawing imaginary maps of Sidmouth and going outside to make ‘street rubbings’. The participants also explored inventive ways to re-use cardboard boxes, using packaging donated by Potburys Removals and Storage.

The exhibits were put on display among plants lent to Kennaway House by Combe Garden Centre, and the ‘museum’ opened to visitors on the Saturday.

Louise Cole from Sidmouth School of Art said: "The workshops were inspirational, imaginative and playful. Sidmouth School of Art were delighted that so many were curious and came along to experience the exhibition, an artwork itself."

Photos of the exhibits can be viewed on the Sidmouth School of Arts website, along with a video filmed by Seb Fitzhenry.

David also created two new visual and audio installations called Ring Ring and Beep Beep, based on the traditional telephone ‘ring’ and ‘engaged’ tones in the days before mobile phones. These are currently being exhibited in the repurposed red telephone boxes in Market Square, now called the Museum of Contemporary Art and Museum of Antiquities.

Sidmouth School of Art’s latest billboard artwork, Sidmouth Beauty Spots is also by David Bellingham, and is currently being exhibited at the Sidmouth Wallspace.