REPORT 1. EARTH AIR FIRE AND WATER: STORYWALK The story walk was led by Jacqueline Summer a local storyteller who had visited King's Wood and woven a story to relate the narrative to the landscape and the sculptures. The tickets for the event were sold through the Canterbury Festival and there were 17 people on the day but only 3 children, fewer than we had imagined although the date fell at the beginning of half term which may have had an impact on attendance numbers. The event had also been advertised in the Primary Times, local press and 5000 flyers for both events were sent to individuals on SVA mailing list as well as being distributed to schools, libraries, galleries and community focal points. Jacqueline Summer by the Richard Harris arch talking about the Princess's deerskin boots Jacqueline's story used the elements, the environment of King's Wood and the sculptures as threads to connect her tale with the landscape as we all moved through it. It was about a Princess who ventured out of her kingdom to go on a magical journey of discovery. Jacqueline talks about the deer coming to drink at the dewpond At the end of the story the Princess and everyone in the Kingdom rebuilt the crystal palace from stone and wood. Jacqueline also used a wooden flute to create an atmosphere and to help connect the different stops on the walk together. Jacqueline draws the story to a close 2. THE DIG DRAW: STORYLINES This was a one-day event set in the outdoor studio at King's Wood. Participants, many of whom were family groups comprising 70 aged 3 - 11 years, 10 young people aged 12 - 18 and 50 adults came to take part. They were welcomed by the SVA team and supported by artist in residence Jacques Nimki and local artist Sara Wicks. A meandering path was cleared under the trees. A range of natural materials was available, chalk, charcoal, rotted wood, flint, autumn leaves, nuts, leaves sticks bracken and other materials (including mud) gathered by those who took part. The participants came from as far away as Yugoslavia, Belgium and from all parts of Kent including Sheppey. This event was extremely successful with enthusiastic feedback from all the participants including one lady who had accessed the event in a mobility vehicle. She has also agreed to help advise us in improving our accessibility and we are currently looking into improving our facilities for people who have difficulty getting around the forest environment. There was a busy absorbed atmosphere with people obviously engaging with both the environment and responding to the natural materials available. Many commented that they preferred working with natural materials to conventional drawing on paper as we have done at this event in the past. Another boy was excited to discover that in spite of thinking he could not draw, he produced a wonderful piece in response to the materials and the environment out of doors. It seemed that being in the woods relaxed people and helped them get in touch with their creativity. Mushroom Castle All of the images created demonstrated that the forest had inspired those taking part and fired their imaginations. Their contributions ranged from the representations of creatures; wolves, deer, spiders, foxes, birds to trees plants mushrooms and abstract patterns. Fox Leaf tree Some of the images were naturalistic and others were more fanciful such as an elephant and a fairy. Fairy Elephant Summary Both these events have helped to build on our programme of public events and help us increase our audience and their awareness and experience of the environment of King's Wood in a positive way. STOUR VALLEY ARTS REPORT EARTH AIR FIRE AND WATER: STORYWALK & THE BIG DRAW: STORYLINES Lucy Medhurst November 2005 7