The Barn is a striking and well known landmark in the area and the opening of Messums Wiltshire provides not only a relevant use of an historic building but also a unique context for artists and visitors alike to experience art and the creative instinct.

The vision of Johnny Messum, the project has come to fruition through the collaborative spirit of like-minded people from the locality. The intention is that Messums Wiltshire will become a cultural destination in the South West, with a diverse all year round calendar of exhibitions, performance, special events, talks and an arts education programme for children and young people. It seeks to make the diverse languages of the visual arts, accessible and inclusive to the broadest possible range of audiences.

Inaugural Exhibition
Messums Wiltshire is proud to announce Bronze and Stone, as its inaugural exhibition. The exhibition brings together the work of 3 internationally recognised sculptors all who live and work the South West. It presents 15 classically timeless monumental sculptures, in stone and bronze initiating a powerful response to the space, history and legacy of the building. The work of Tim Harrisson, Bridget McCrum and Dominic Welch is an exploration and interpretation of the landscape, the natural life within it and the geological and historical archaeology of place and time. It includes the work, The Hurdcott Stone, 2012, by Tim Harrisson, carved from sandstone from the local Chicksgrove quarry – the same stone
that built the walls of the barn in the 13th century.

Opening Weekend 24 & 25 September 2016

The weekend is an invitation to all to come and join us to celebrate the opening of Messums Wiltshire at the tithe barn. The Barn and the beauty of the surrounding landscape provide an inspirational backdrop for visitors to experience art and the creative instinct. The weekend offers the opportunity to explore the processes of making, visit the exhibition

The weekend offers the opportunity to explore the processes of making, visit the exhibition Bronze and Stone, watch dancer, turned performance ceramicist, Stephanie Bottle and award winning master wood turner Robin Wood. Or sign up to The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing festival for 4 – 18 year old and play around with some giant games in the courtyard. And not forgetting the musical arts, we are very lucky to have Kadia the young, creative and acclaimed folk band from Bournemouth playing in our ‘Beach tent’ on Sunday.

Stop and enjoy specialist coffee from local Barista, The Italian Connection who has created a unique Barn Blend. Tisbury based Copper Box Bar Company will be serving our house “Porter’s Perfection Pommes” made with apple vodka from Dorset based producer, Liberty Fields, who use Fonthill water in their brewing.

From their Dorset Vineyards Langham Wine will provide sparkle with their prize winning sparkling wines. And our very own Beam Bar will be supplied by Tisbury’s Beckford Bottle Shop. Pizza over the weekend comes from 2 local enterprises Hidden Pizza and The Big Bang Pizza with ice cream from Frew & Co creating their very original artisan Thai ice cream.

Hours for the Opening Weekend 24 & 25 September

Free Admission

Saturday 24 September 12.30pm – 6.00pm

Sunday 25 September 11.00am – 5.00 pm

Parking and Disabled Access available

For travel information please visit the website: http://www.messumswiltshire.com

Messums Wiltshire opening hours from 28 September 2016

Free admission

The centre will be open throughout the year with free admission to the public

Hours

Wednesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 5.00 pm

Sunday 10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Parking and disabled access available.

For travel information please visit the website: http://www.messumswiltshire.com

Contact details: For further information, or high res images, please contact:

Johnny Messum:

Tel: 07971676451

Email: Johnny@messumswiltshire.com