Common Arts At The Fringe
An arts festival inspired by Dorset dialect poet William Barnes (1801−1886) and his term “Soulzight”, exploring how memory and time inhabit the world.
Curated by Aliceson Green, artists Zara McQueen, Rebecca Newnham, Fran Quinlan and Lizzie Sykes, present installations throughout the town reflecting landscape, community and the persistence of the past within the present.
Drawing on the Dorset dialect poem’s distinction between “eyezight” and “soulzight,” this body of work explores how meaning emerges through interpretation rather than observation alone. While “eyezight” describes what can be physically seen, “soulzight” suggests a deeper form of understanding shaped by memory, imagination, and lived experience. Across the installations, family histories, natural forms, and acts of observation become intertwined.
EVENTS
11th 3pm (prompt) Town Cryer, Town Hall, High Street. Followed by…
11th 3.15-5pm Opening Event with William Barnes poetry reading and music by Tattie Bogle. Gold Hill Museum, Gold Hill.
12th 4pm Birdsong Walk (suitable outdoor clothing/footware recommended, dog friendly event) starting outside The Town Hall, High Street, via Breach Common to…
12th 5.30pm Hambledon Hopstep Band in Ye Old Two Brewers, St James's Street.
13th-19th. Tokens by Willliam Barnes unfolding daily on Castle Hill park railings, Shaftesbury (behind Ambulance Station).
14th 11am Curator & Artist Tour starting outside The Town Hall, High Street.
18th 10am Curator & Artist Tour starting outside the Town Hall, High Street.
18th 12-2pm Willow Weaving Workshop children friendly event, St James Park (opposite Ye Old Two Brewers, St James's Street). Making tunnels to crawl through whilst learning about the legendary tunnels in town. William Barnes Society will be joining us to read some poetry in-between 1- 2pm. (Suitable outdoor clothing recommended. Children must be supervised). Supported by Swans Trust.
19th 2-4pm Drawing Workshop, children & adult friendly event at Friends Meeting House, 5 Abbey Walk. Come prepared to be curious, play and explore materials and media with a range of stimuli to respond to. (Suitable clothing for drawing and creating. Children must be supervised).
Locations and further info https://www.aliceson.co.uk/com...
