The Private View of THG's new exhibition Drop Me A Line Part 2 saw visitors and community groups coming to see the work they created, exhibited in a public art gallery alongside the work of artists Michael Fairfax and Louise Baker.

Some of the groups who responded to the exhibiting artists’ work included ROC Creative Honiton, Mill Water Community Special School pupils, young people from East Devon’s SWITCH group and Newholme Day Centre, Honiton. The exhibition features work from across the community including those with physical and learning disabilities. 

Exeter’s Royal Academy for Deaf Education was one of the groups who created their own tree harps in a workshop (pictured here) inspired by Michael Fairfax’s sound sculptures. One of the group commented, “I enjoyed learning how to make things. I liked whittling the wood to make my instrument. I give it (the workshop) five stars!” Helen Maiden, their educational audiologist, added “The students had a great time and the staff loved it too."

Young people from the WESC Foundation, a specialist centre for visual impairments, also enjoyed playing the piano wire installation and making their own sound recordings which form part of the exhibition.

Participants from Magic Carpet, the Arts for Health Charity, drew their own lines on long pieces of paper. One of the participants commented: “I came to the Private View on my own and liked it so much I wanted to come back again with the group. We were surprised to see us drawing on the video – we all want to come and see it again!”

Angela Blackwell (THG Curator) explained “Visitors to the exhibition are enjoying playing the new hand-crafted instruments by Michael Fairfax and have been really inspired by the amazing work of these community groups.”

Drop Me A Line Part 2 continues until 20 June. This exhibition is kindly sponsored by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood auctioneers.