Information on Loughborough

Into The Forest exhibition launches

Posted on 19/10/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council Community Services

16 October 2009

Into The Forest exhibition launches Creating art work inspired by The National Forest

An exhibition inspired by people’s visits to the National Forest is being showcased at Snibston Discovery Museum.

‘Into the Forest’ kicks off tomorrow (Saturday) and runs until Thursday, October 29 2009.

Resulting from a project run by Mantle Arts, the exhibition features paintings, collages, poetry, sketches and photographs created by people living in North West Leicestershire who have been inspired by visits to sites within the National Forest.

The project which has been supported by the National Forest Company and is being delivered in partnership with North West Leicestershire MIND and Leicestershire NHS Partnership Trust, aimed to boost emotional health and well-being through creative expression.

Participants took part in organised walks and worked with photographer Monica Fernandez, artist Jemma Bagley and poet Lydia Towsey throughout the summer and early autumn. They were encouraged to express their creative responses to their visits through artwork and poetry.

Rebecca Wooster, Project Manager for Mantle Arts, said: “We've been really encouraged by the response and have some fantastic creations to exhibit. We are working with some beginners and some more accomplished artists, but all have been inspired by the sights of The National Forest.”

Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Museums, said: "Snibston is the ideal venue to host such a lovely exhibition. Its location in the heart of the National Forest gives it true relevance and with its free to view Community Gallery, everyone can enjoy the work created by local people stimulated by the treasures that we have within the National Forest."

For more information on the exhibition, call Snibston on 01530 278444, email snibston@leics.gov.uk or visit www.snibston.com

**Ends**

    Snibston is set on the site of a former colliery and consists of a multi-award-winning interactive museum, colliery buildings of national significance, the Century Theatre, a country park and nature reserve.

The museum displays a rich and diverse collection of objects, telling the story of technology and design and how it has affected everyday life from the past to the present and into the future.

The National Forest Company was established by Government in April 1995. It is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra).

The National Forest Company leads through working partnerships with landowners, businesses, public, private and voluntary organisations and local communities to fulfil the shared vision for the Forest. It promotes the widest possible participation in and enjoyment of the Forest. (http://www.nationalforest.org)

Mantle Arts is a participatory arts organisation. They create arts projects, festivals, events and manage public art commissions. Based in North West Leicestershire, Mantle works creatively with people of all ages and from all walks of life, in partnership with a wide range of organisations, venues and groups across the Midlands.

(http://www.mantlearts.org.uk)