An exhibition of the dug-out canoe, which was the first created along Flintshire’s shoreline since the demise of the ship building industry, is running at the Wepre Park Visitor Centre, Connah’s Quay from 16 January to 3 February.
The Canoe was created by renowned artist, Clinton Chaloner, with members of Flintshire’s fishing communities, from Talacre to Connah’s Quay, as well as visitors to the county’s estuary.
Clinton was in residence at various locations along the coastline of the Dee Estuary throughout May, June and July 2011, including Talacre Beach, Greenfield Docks and Flint Castle, amongst others. He creates large wooden carved sculptures and visitors had the opportunity to see him at work, or to have a go, throughout his residency.
To mark the end of Clinton’s residency, the boat was paddled along the estuary on the evening of 25 July, at high tide, and all those who took part in making the boat attended to see it launch. A film of the canoe being launched will be shown at the exhibition.
As well as making the boat, visitors also took part in creating sculptural way-markers which depict the maritime ambiance of the estuary. These can also be viewed at the exhibition.
The exhibition will be opened at the Visitor Centre on Saturday 21 January 2012 at 1pm by the canoe’s artist, Clinton Chaloner.
The exhibition is open to view, until 3 February, during normal visitor centre opening hours.
Mike Taylor, Senior Coastal Ranger, is interested in hearing from any artists who may be interested in creating artwork to be placed along the coastal path. Please contact Mike on 01244 814931 to discuss further.
In partnership with the Coastal Rangers, the Arts, Culture and Events section of Flintshire County Council has coordinated a year long Art in Nature project, part funded by the Arts Council of Wales, looking at Talacre Beach and the Dee Estuary. Becky Churchill was the first of three artists who were based along the Flintshire Coastline; painter Jan Gardner was in residence from January to April 2011; and Clinton Chaloner was in residence making large wooden sculptures from May to July 2011.
