Back to Our Roots

One of our counsellors, specialising in Art therapy for under 18’s is part of this wonderful project. Creating and show casing her art, along with others, within the roots of a tree.

The idea was devised by contemporary artist and Watlington resident and Riverside Placement counsellor,  Frances Ackland-Snow who wanted to link the countryside and some of the 81 artists who would have been exhibiting at the festival. She is the founder of the Creative Minds Consultancy, which helps to improve people’s wellbeing through art.

The first exhibition of 70 daily miniature paintings (fits in your palm size!)”Back to MY Roots”, a close up of one of Frances’s daily miniature works and then the latest community exhibition “Back to OUR Roots”, which is the artwork from Watlington artists which is the exhibition where we will be raising money for the charities.

The exact location remains a secret to prevent crowds gathering, but once the lockdown restrictions have been lifted organisers hope to let members of the public “walk by” and view the work in return for donations to the Prince’s Trust and the  Riverside Counselling Service in Henley.

Frances asked artists to produce 2.5in by 3.5in versions of their pieces to display within a tree’s external roots, for the !Back to OUR roots” project

Watlington Artweek is part of Oxfordshire Artweeks, the UK’s biggest free open studio and pop-up exhibition event. For more information, visit, www.artweeks.org

There will be an exhibition of “Back to the Roots” in the centre of Watlington to raise money for the Princes Trust and Riverside Counselling Service. It will be held on Sunday 5th July 4.30 pm.  Frances said “I am hoping there will poetry reading, storytelling and a bit of music too!! “

Click here to read the full article from the Henley Standard