ACE Group and Brixham artists get involved in T.R.A.I.L. 2006

The ACE willow work and pottery groups have made a fantastic sculpture for this years T.R.A.I.L which is a big step for them, as they have never completed a public artwork before.

T.R.A.I.L stands for Trail Recycled Art In Landscape, with all the artists work exhibited having the protection of the environment as a common aim.

Their piece will be exhibited along with the work of 35 very interesting artists in the sculpture trail which covers six miles of coast from Teignmouth to Dawlish Warren from July 29th-

September 3rd.

The ACE sculpture is called:

'A FISHY TALE (DISAPPEARING IN A SEA OF POLLUTION)'

In the past Mariners often confused seals with mermaids as they dreamed of better things. Today the mermaids are gone and life in the sea destroyed by over fishing.

The United Nations has stated that "swift and wide ranging actions are needed to conserve the world's entire marine environment amid fears that humankind's exploitation of the deep seas and open oceans is rapidly passing the point of no return".

ACE is the organisation that supports physically disabled adult students who attend Adult & Community Learning Classes at Brixham College which are part of South Devon Colleges' provision.

This group of 16 students have been working in willow and pottery for the past six months with Vivienne Turner and Alix Ward. Despite their physical disabilities they have proven their 'abilities' by creating artwork to enhance the new Adult and Community Learning Centre at Brixham College . They are supported in their efforts by a dedicated team of volunteers.

This piece consists of woven screens using willow, recycled materials and items made from clay that can be found on summer beaches- broken sunglasses, flip flops, newspapers and other rubbish that finally ends up in the sea.

Everyone has worked on the three screens which form the pyramid, trapping the fish in a giant 'pot'.

The trail sculptures are exhibited in the gardens, on promenades and beaches from July 29th-September 3rd with the work of ACE situated in the flower beds of Teingmouth Promenade to the right of the pier as you walk towards the river mouth.

Their work will also be situated close to that of Brixham artist Becky Shaw and that of Jenny Harriman Head of Centre Brixham Adult & Community Learning who says "I am an Art, Textiles and English teacher who now responsible for the Adult and Community Learning programme at Brixham Community College ..

Throughout my life I have been captivated by the beauty of the sea and the rocky shores and sandy beaches of Devon . My hunter/gatherer instincts have always led me to scour the strandline collecting driftwood and shells."

Jenny's sculpture for T.R.A.I.L is called Flotsam and jetsam and has given her the opportunity to work on a larger scale as she normally create mirrors emulating rock pools using driftwood and shells found on the strandline.

Becky Shaw is currently an Environmental Arts and Crafts student at Bicton College . She has been working with different materials over the years, but says that she has discovered the joy of working in willow through college, with Murtle the mermaid her first sculpture in willow!

The sculpture trail and exhibition are a successful collaboration between T.R.A.I.L. artists, Teignmouth District Council, Teignmouth Regeneration and generously sponsored further by local businesses and arts in business.

Further sculptures by ACE and other T.R.A.I.L artists can also be seen at the interior exhibition which opens on Sunday 13 th Aug - Sunday 3rd Sept 10am-5pm in the Ice Factory and Tomorrow's Teignmouth building in Somerset Place .