Featured Image: Gerry Lynch.
A historic Devizes church will help local children celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by giving them the chance to work with a renowned local artist over the jubilee period.…
The parish of St John with St Mary in Devizes has partnered with artist Joanna May and historian David Evans to put an exhibition entitled ‘Majesty’ in St Mary’s Church on New Park Street from 2-4 June. Three local primary schools will participate: Wansdyke, Southbroom, and Trinity.
Shirley Urwin, who is helping organise the exhibition, said: “The children will hear about Devizes’ historic links with the monarchy through story-telling, then Joanna will help them make paintings and drawings of story or person that resonated most with them. Joanna will then create a mosaic of the children’s drawings as part of a huge exhibition board, based upon her painting “Majesty”, which depicts Queen Elizabeth’s Coronation Crown.
“We hope they will benefit from the opportunity to work creatively with a well-known artist and be involved in a unique project marking a memorable event in their lives.
“The pupils will benefit from one-on-one time with a professional artist completely cost free. All three schools are state-funded, and both Trinity CofE and Southbroom receive higher than the national average Pupil Premium funding. This is about bringing art to everyone in our community.
“This is part of a programme of activities that will secure the future of St Mary’s Church as a vibrant and viable multi-use venue for the community of Devizes and further afield. It will raise awareness and engagement in the town of the plans to make St Mary’s available for the community as a vibrant arts space, accessible to all. “
The exhibition will be free, and take place at St Mary’s from 11 am – 3 pm from Thu 2 – Sat 4 June.
For more information, contact Shirley Urwin on shirley.urwin@yahoo.co.uk or 07849 536 179.
About Joanna May
Joanna May is an artist based in Devizes. She is recognised and collected widely, with a listing in ‘Who’s Who In Art’. Her work has sold at Christies’, including to celebrity buyers; she has paintings at Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, Raymond Blanc’s famous hotel near Henley. Her beautiful hare paintings for The Hare on the Moon – A Treasure Hunt Book hang in her Joanna May Gallery, lighting up Northgate Street in Devizes. She can be contacted on joanna@joannamay.com and has a website at joannamay.com.
About St Mary’s, Devizes
St Mary’s Church is a Grade 1 listed building and one of the town’s oldest and most historic landmarks with its magnificent 13m high internal arch. It is among the top 2.5% listed buildings in the country and of significant historic importance to the town. Plans are afoot to redevelop the building into a space for the arts, accessible to all, enjoyed for generations to come, thus preserving our heritage. Find out more at www.stmarydevizestrust.org.uk.
- Bath Celebrates Ninety Year Anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie’s StayMay 1936, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie I stood with his exiled family on Paddington Station. Before being advised to flee Ethiopia, so he could address … Continue reading “Bath Celebrates Ninety Year Anniversary of Emperor Haile Selassie’s Stay”
- Book Review: Dave McKenna’s Death WishIt was back in March last year when I last mentioned Devizes author Dave McKenna, reviewing his debut, The Killer & The Catalyst. He’s returned with … Continue reading “Book Review: Dave McKenna’s Death Wish”
- Facebook User Prays to Jesus to Burn Down Devizes Over Convenience Store Opening!Another day at the office for Newsquest reporter Jamie Singleton. He reports on a new convenience store at the corner of St John’s Street in … Continue reading “Facebook User Prays to Jesus to Burn Down Devizes Over Convenience Store Opening!”
- My Reflection on the Fate of CarnivalsIt’s Saturday morning on the 13th July 1985, and there’s a dilemma brewing in my household I’m indifferent with. I’m twelve, aware I should do … Continue reading “My Reflection on the Fate of Carnivals”
- Trowbridge (Folk) Festival – Greenhill Fields, Southwick, 24th to 26th July 2026By Andy Fawthrop Folk Me! – Another Great Local Music Festival You don’t necessarily need a long pedigree to stage a successful music festival, but … Continue reading “Trowbridge (Folk) Festival – Greenhill Fields, Southwick, 24th to 26th July 2026”
- Stop the Buses! North-East Somerset Reform Hate The “Woke” Bus Ticket Price Cap!In In 1981 John Sullivan created a deadpan simpleton character for his sitcom, Only Fools and Horses. Immortalised by the late Roger Lloyd-Pack, Trigger would … Continue reading “Stop the Buses! North-East Somerset Reform Hate The “Woke” Bus Ticket Price Cap!”
- Oh The Deep; Sarah Tarry’s New EP & Launch in DevizesAfter near-on ten years at this, I assume Devizine has pretty much discovered all the local talent, when suddenly someone off our radar pops up … Continue reading “Oh The Deep; Sarah Tarry’s New EP & Launch in Devizes”
- Full Throttle For The Sixth Devizes Scooter RallyFeatured Image: ©Gail Foster At least I think it was the sixth Devizes Scooter Rally; after three weekends spent at a sunkissed Lower Park Farm … Continue reading “Full Throttle For The Sixth Devizes Scooter Rally”
- Thorn in Conservative Wiltshire Councillors’ Side; The Munster Show Must Go On!Sheez, I go away for five minutes and look what happens. Devizes Facebookland turns into the Ok Corral! Seems I must interrupt my lovely mountaineering … Continue reading “Thorn in Conservative Wiltshire Councillors’ Side; The Munster Show Must Go On!”
- Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Devizes welcomes its first female Town CrierBy Charlotte Emily Devizes Town Crier There are some moments when history feels less like something written in books and more like something happening right … Continue reading “Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Devizes welcomes its first female Town Crier”
devizine.com 