A seven-month arts festival at St Mary’s, Banbury will showcase the best of local art and creativity, in a host of events focusing on wellbeing and celebrating 200 years since the iconic Grade I listed building was rebuilt in its classical style.
The Bishop of Dorchester will officially open the festival in a service on Palm Sunday 10 April. The festival will include performances from local choral societies, music recitals, poetry workshops, craft fairs, dance classes, quiet days, origami art, and talks from local authors.
As well as celebrating 200 years of the church, and supporting local talent and small businesses, at least once a month there is a dedicated Wellbeing Wednesday. Workshops and sessions throughout the festival are tailored to meet the needs of the local context such as highlighting key issues among local farming communities and how important a healthy rural life is for everyone.
The Revd Sarah Bourne, Chaplain for the Arts at the church and a musician herself, has been heading up the festival and shares why wellbeing has been chosen as the theme:
“The past two years have taken a real toll on all of us, the nature of our lives has changed so much, and many people are still anxious about leaving their homes. Wellbeing is a significant issue for all of us at present, including children and young people, so by incorporating this into the festival we hope that we can help people to experience the positive impact of the arts on their mental wellbeing.”
Particularly significant in the recent context of Ukraine, is an art installation, Colours of Banbury, featuring thousands of origami cranes created by local groups. It will be on display from July to August as a symbol of peace, flourishing, and reconciliation.
Reflecting on the hopes for the festival, Sarah said:
“One of our key aims is to bring people from the community, of all faiths and none, into the magnificent church building so that they can experience the beauty of the interior but also find a space that is for them, where they feel welcome and can meet together.
“We want to encourage people with their God-given creativity, to nurture this gift and provide opportunities for them to use it as a way of finding God at work in their lives.
“Banbury has a very ethnically diverse population and some of the most socially deprived areas in the country, so getting the whole community involved in something they might not have done before and bringing them together is really important.”
Arts @ Banbury St Mary
As part of the church’s arts initiative seeking to bring the community closer together, Sarah runs a range of art and craft workshops and events throughout the year for local people, building relationships and engaging with people across Banbury.
The Development Fund
The continuation of the Chaplain for the Arts role, following a two-year pilot project by Sarah, is funded by a grant from the Development Fund which enables missional creativity and supports local Christ-like Church projects. Find out more and apply for a grant for your church.