Generosity was the theme of this year’s Cultivate Arts Festival, celebrating the creative arts, and a large-scale flowing fountain has been created by XAP member Liz Sergeant.
‘Flowing Free’ – a 3m x 2m installation in a church – represents a powerful, joyous image of generosity – refreshing, renewing and regenerating. The fountain has been created from hundreds of meters of recycled and donated materials, and is the focal point for a programme of events throughout the week.
The project has involved the help and support from a number of groups from the wider community. A 70-strong team of artists, musicians, poets, guest speakers, teachers, bakers, greeters and installers have generously shared their talents to make this a collaborative event, contributing to the preparation of materials as well as the content of the events. 700 visitors (including 420 primary school children) explored and considered the fountain from different viewpoints in the building, and were invited to ‘keep generosity flowing’ by adding droplets to the installation with their personal thoughts or images about generosity. 700 droplets mirrored the fountain as they flowed around the church, over the side arches towards the altar.
In 2019 the second Cultivate Arts Festival has grown to 18 events in 5 participating locations in a week-long programme, across a town of 30,000 people. www.cultivate.me.uk
‘Stunning – so uplifting and inspirational’ – Festival visitor
Cultivate Arts Festival – 23rd – 30th June, Harpenden, Herts
