Art trail on religious theme

FROM oil paintings to stained glass windows, over 40 artworks from Greater Manchester and beyond will be displayed during Saddleworth Festival of the Arts in June.

The “Come+See Art Trail” is being organised by Churches Together and aims to present the message of Jesus in a creative way.

The art on display includes paintings by Ghislaine Howard, named Woman of The Year in 2008 for her contribution to art and society; the powerful “Stations of the Cross” oil paintings by Rob Floyd and on loan from Manchester Cathedral; and the textile banners of Jacqui Parkinson based on themes of creation and the Lord’s Prayer.

Other works explore the themes of transformation, resurrection and eternal life through sculptures made from hundreds of paper butterflies. Local artists will also have works exhibited on the themes of persecution, intimacy with God and healing.

Pupils from Delph Primary School will also contribute their own work to the art trail.

Before the festival, artist Carole Pattenden will be working in the school to produce work in response to the Lord’s Prayer banners, with the work being presented in St Thomas’s Church, Delph.

Organiser Jill Woods said: “The art works and the written meditations which accompany them will encourage people to make meaningful connections with their own lives.

“Themes such as forgiveness, compassion, bereavement, the fear of death and thoughts about eternal life are part of the universal human experience. The trail creates opportunity for sanctuary in the midst of the busy-ness of modern life.”

The Come+See Art Trail is spread over seven churches, St Mary’s, the Methodist church and Christchurch in Greenfield, Sacred Heart and the Methodist church in Uppermill and St Thomas’s and the Methodist church in Delph.

Maps will be available from Uppermill Museum shop in Uppermill library and all Saddleworth churches during the festival running from June 6 to 13.