A Treasury of Birds
by artist
Athena Jane Churchill
A site-specific installation
at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon
Friday 14th October - Saturday 24th December 2022
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Free Admission
A Treasury of birds at the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon, EX32 8LN
Friday 14th October - Saturday 24th December Open Daily Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm
A flock of sparkling jewelled birds made by artist Athena Jane Churchill have taken over the museum! Follow their trail and see how many of them you can find.
Birds have appeared in mythology and folklore throughout time and across the world in stories and symbolism. As magical healers through their song, messengers between worlds, companions of gods and goddesses and as a symbol of hope, spirit and freedom.
Artist Athena Jane, whose work explores traces of memory and myth, natural history collections and variation in nature has created over 300 magical jewelled bird sculptures.
Now the birds have flown to the Museum, bringing their message of freedom... we need your help! How many can you find? Each bird is unique and also part of a collection celebrating the treasury of beauty in natural history, and birds as a treasure of the natural world.
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The Museum is open daily from 10am - 5pm from Monday - Saturday. It is free to visit the Museum and Installation of Birds.
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Athena Jane will be running a Free Curious Curators Workshop for families on 26th of October and a bookable adult bird making workshop on the 7th December.
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Please see below for more information and visit the Museum site to book onto a workshop.
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https://barnstaplemuseum.org.uk/whatson/treasuryofbirds/
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https://museum-of-barnstaple-and-north-devon.arttickets.org.uk
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Creative Workshops
At Barnstaple Museum
With Artist Athena Jane Churchill
26th October and 7th December 2022
Explore the beautiful Collections in the Museum. Whilst you are there, book onto a workshop with artist Athena Jane. She will be running two days of workshops during the installation. Do come and say hello to her there and book for a fun making experience.
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Each creative day will be a different practical art workshop exploring some of her inspirations; set design, ancient shrines, natural history, and heritage collections. Each workshop will be a fun journey through explorations of materials and techniques to make and take home a piece of your own art.
Wednesday 26th October Curious Curators
Family Drop-In sessions run throughout the day. Free
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Inspired by set design and Nature - create a Bird or Butterfly Box Shrine. Experiment with surface decoration, collage and a bit of sparkle... Journey through different materials and ideas to make a tiny Natural History inspired Bird Shrine Box or a Sparkling hanging bird decoration.
Wednesday 7th December 2022
Two sessions: 10am - 12.30pm and 1.30 - 4pm
Please Book here museum-of-barnstaple-and-north-devon.arttickets.org.uk
£20 per place - limited places.
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Exploring how Athena Jane creates her birds, you will have the chance to try out some of the skills and materials she uses in a more intensive workshop for adults and young people (aged 12+). Jane's birds take her several hours over 3 days to make, but we will make a version that can be made a little quicker! Young People Under 15 will need to be accompanied by and adult.
You will take home a beautifully sparkly little bird of your own. Get in the Christmas Spirit with a bit of creative sparkle!
Jane is an experienced artist and workshop leader who has spent over 20 years helping people to access their creativity. She creates a confidence building environment, sharing techniques and ways of working to free your inner artist. Step by step tuition, taking you gently on a fun journey into your own way of creating, is provided.
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Hope to see you there.
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If you would like to buy a bird please visit my shop!
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