The first dug out canoe to be built on Flintshire’s shorelines since the demise of the ship building industry in the first half of the 20th century will be launched at Connah’s Quay Docks on Monday 25 July at 7 pm. The Canoe was created by members of Flintshire’s fishing communities from Talacre to Connah’s Quay as well as visitors to the county’s estuary.
Renowned artist, Clinton Challoner, has been 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.
Clinton creates large wooden carved sculptures and visitors have had the opportunity to see him at work, or to have a go, throughout his residency. The final week of the residency takes place in Connah’s Quay Docks until Friday 22 July, where the finishing touches will be made to the Dug-Out Canoe.
As well as making the boat, visitors also took part in creating sculptural way-markers which depict the maritime ambiance of the estuary. These will be located somewhere along the coastal path, exact location to be confirmed, in the autumn of 2011.
To mark the end of Clinton’s residency, the boat will be paddled along the estuary on the evening of July 25, at high tide, and it is hoped that all those who took part in making the boat will attend to see it launch. An exhibition showing a record of the residency will be held at Wepre Park Visitor Centre towards the end of August 2011.
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 to be based along the Flintshire coastline, painter Jan Gardner was in residence from January to April 2011 and Clinton Challoner has been in residence making large wooden sculptures from May to July 2011.
The project was funded by the Arts Council of Wales and Flintshire County Council.
