Vessel was a curated art trail in remote rural churches near the Black Mountains between Usk and Hay-on-Wye. Seven artworks by seven artists were shown in seven churches, six of which are maintained by the Friends of Friendless Churches who keep them open all year round. The theme of ‘vessel’ references bodies, boats, secretions and receptacles; each of the artworks was sited in a particular relationship to the church and its materials.

The exhibition was open from early August to late October 2024, ensuring the optimum season for visitors to the churches. It created a memorable and unique placement of art within a conjunction of landscape and architecture that is often overlooked and brought artists of international reputation to an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Exhibition dates: 8 August – 31 October 2024

Churches:
St Michael and All Angels', Gwernesney
St Cadoc, Llangattock Vibon Avel, Monmouthshire
St Mary the Virgin, Llanfair Kilgeddin, Monmouthshire
St Jerome, Llangwm Uchaf, Monmouthshire
St David, Llangeview, Monmouthshire
Castle Chapel, Urishay, Herefordshire
Dore Abbey, Herefordshire

Artists:
Lou Baker
Barbara Beyer
Andrew Bick
Lucy Glendinning
Robert George
Jane Sheppard
Steinnun Thorarinsdottir

Vessel was curated by Jacquiline Creswell for A+C.
Since  2009-2022 Jacquiline has been central to the development of visual arts programmes at Salisbury and Chichester among other Cathedrals. Now she is a freelance Visual Art Advisor and is engaged as the Consultant Curator for the Association of English Cathedrals. She is also a Trustee and Project Curator of  A+C and Director and Curator for WAC. 

Over the past 16 years Jacquiline has delivered over 58 exhibitions, working with a diverse group of artists, galleries, foundations and estates. These include Antony Gormley, Lemn Sissay, Mark Wallinger, David Mach and Ana Maria Pacheco, galleries such as The Lisson, Osborne Samuel,  Hauser&Wirth and the estates of Henry Moore, Lynn Chadwick, Barbara Hepworth and others. She has developed lasting relationships with many of the leading figures in the contemporary art world whose dedication and support has been crucial to the success of the many projects delivered. www.visualartsadvisor.org

Our Community Coordinator for Vessel was Julia Porter Pryce.
Julia a freelance curator based in Hay-on-Wye with 25 years’ experience of working with art in sacred spaces. After 15 years in museum management, she worked as an Anglican priest in Hackney where she ran a programme of residencies and community arts projects. For 10 years she co-ordinated creative arts engagement in the Diocese of London. She has been a member of the St Paul’s Cathedral Visual Arts Committee and an Advisor to Art and Christianity. Julia has been based in the Black Mountains for three years.

Julia is passionate about connecting artists with places of worship as a means of interpreting faith traditions and at the same time making art accessible to new audiences.

Vessel was kindly supported by the Gibbs Trust and the Morel Trust.