Art is out in the open

INSTEAD of admiring sculptures within a conventional art gallery people young and old enjoyed exploring a treasure trail of art nestled in gardens around Bergh Apton.

More than 60 sculptors are exhibiting about 200 works in the fifth Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail which continues over the next two weekends. Artwork from important East Anglian and international artists is on display as well as sculptures from Norwich School of Art and Design students and work by children from Alpington and Bergh Apton Primary School.

Christopher Le Brun, Katherine Dowson and Gary Breeze are just some of the artists involved, and all of the works explore the theme of how we balance our needs responsibly and ethically with those of nature.

Christopher Meynell, one of the organisers, said: “We had an excellent day on Saturday. It could not have been better. About 1,500 people came to enjoy the sculptures and the sunshine.

“Sunday was really for the intrepid explorer with all the rain but we still had a good number of people turn up. The children were so wet they looked like walking puddles but they were still smiling and enjoying themselves.”

Villagers also visited the new Anteros Arts Centre which was opened on Saturday with an exhibition of work by botanical painter Irene Barkmann and a visit by MEP Robert Sturdy.

The £150,000 centre, located in a converted barn and dairy, is owned by local farmer John Hemmant.

Italian musician and composer in residence Simone Spagnolo composed a new piece for the opening of the centre.

t Anyone interested in the Anteros centre in Loddon Road can visit www.anteros.co.uk

t The sculpture trail, organised by the Bergh Apton Community Arts Trust, is open for the next two weekends from 10.30am until 6pm . Tickets cost £10 for one day and £15 for two days. Children under 16 are free. Transport is available for those who would find it difficult to walk around the 2.8mile route.

For more information visit www.berghapton.org.uk