A year-long collaboration between THG and the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

The project celebrated 25 years of the East Devon Way (the 40 mile footpath running from Exmouth to Lyme Regis). We delivered over 80 sessions of creative nature-based activities with 11 schools, 17 artists and 25 public workshops between May – October to explore different parts of this hinterland.

The aim of the project was to use diverse artforms and artists to enable people to engage with the natural landscape in new ways. The resulting exhibition Experiencing the Landscape: Art on the East Devon Way reflects some of the school and public workshops (painting with natural pigments, creating pinhole cameras, reading to trees, printmaking with found materials). It also showcased new work from three local contemporary artists Angus Rutherford, Gabby Hoad and Jenny Mellings. It culminated in a celebratory community party on 27 October to celebrate the national Museums At Night and Big Draw festivals.

This project partnered with many organisations including the RSPB, Forestry Commission England, Clinton Devon Estates, EDDC, LED Walking for Health, and festivals including Heath Week, Sidmouth Walking Festival, Devon Open Studios, Dorset Art Weeks, The Big Draw and Museums At Night.

The project was funded by Defra, Arts Council England, The Northbrook Community Trust, The Elmgrant Trust, Tesco Bags for Help, Devon County Council, EDDC, THG and East Devon AONB.

Experiencing the Landscape exhibition

Events guide