Last month, The Arts Society Salisbury sponsored The Magic Lantern Company to visit Wyndham Park Infants School to put on some of their award-winning workshops. These workshops promote visual literacy and are designed to get children looking, thinking and speaking about art. Each interactive session uses elements of dialogue, drama, soundscape, slow looking and creative writing to bring artworks to life. https://www.magiclanternart.org.uk/

In all nine sessions of between forty-five and sixty minutes were enjoyed by pupils across the age range of the school. The feedback received from the school has been very enthusiastic, to the extent that they are wanting to organise a repeat visit. The sponsorship was made possible by a grant from The Arts Society UK.

Salisbury Cathedral’s Restoring Angels Appeal which is currently raising funds for vital restoration work to the Cathedral’s magnificent Burne-Jones window is ongoing and due to be completed in March 26.  The conservation work is being undertaken by the Cathedral’s on-site stained-glass workshop and the 2-year restoration process is in train at a cost of almost £120,000.    Having realised a small surplus against its annual budget for the first time in several years, The Arts Society Salisbury is delighted that it has been able to contribute to the appeal.

The window was installed in Salisbury Cathedral by the Townsend family who lived at Mompesson House in The Close 145 years ago but it is now in need of vital work to maintain its integrity into the future.   The window which was donated in commemoration of one of the family, Capt George Eyre Townsend RA, was jointly designed by Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris and manufactured by Morris and Co in the late 19th Century.  The following link provides more information from the Salisbury Cathedral website: 

https://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/discover/conservation-and-restoration/burne-jones/

Thanks to the support of its members and also to the commitment of its committee members, the Society has pledged £500 towards the restoration work.   The Arts Society Salisbury has also been fortunate to gain an additional £500 from The Arts Society Wessex Area’s funds, making a total donation of £1,000.

One of The Arts Society Salisbury’s stated aims is to support conservation in its community, so its involvement in this piece of arts restoration at the very heart of its own city is important.  The Society is also very grateful for the additional funding from its Area Team.