Festive art treats in Guildhall windows
Shoppers only need to look up when near Lincoln’s Stonebow to get a festive fix through an art exhibition that is becoming a Christmas tradition.
The Lincoln Guildhall Winter Art Calendar is displayed in the windows of the landmark above the High Street as each day a new work by students from the University of Lincoln’s School of Creative Arts is unveiled.
Last year was the first exhibition created through a partnership between the university and City of Lincoln Council’s Civic Office and was seen by thousands of people visiting the city centre.
It takes its inspiration from Lincoln's twin city Neustadt an der Weinstrasse's Town Hall Advent Calendar celebrations and offers emerging artists studying at the university a chance to have their artwork showcased in public - in many cases for the first time.
Associate Professor and Creative Engagement Producer at the University Rachel Baynton said: “This continues to be such a fun and festive project and we've all been delighted at the work the students have submitted from across all of our courses here at the School of Creative Arts.
“This year we've had images submitted from creative writers, photographers, theatre makers and visual artists, and everyone has responded to the themes of 'Friendship' and 'Lincoln at Christmas'.
“Once again we're grateful to the Guildhall and City of Lincoln Council for providing the opportunity, and to Lincoln Arts Centre for their support. We're looking forward to seeing the Stonebow windows full, and to extending and expanding the project in the years to come.”
The exhibition runs throughout December, and a new artwork will be showcased daily up until December 24 on the south facing side of the Guildhall.
Three of the artworks are featured below with the top image, entitled Holly Jolly Lincoln, taken by Creative Writing student Tracey Olphert, 46, who likes to share photographs online of the places she visits.
“This image reminds me of years gone by. I waited all night to get a photo with no one only for these people to make the photograph better than I expected.”
An internet sensation of two unlikely animal buddies in Lincoln was the inspiration for the middle image below created by Iara Nacache Rodriguez and called a Late Night Treat Walk.
“Recently there was a CCTV sighting of an otter and a fox roaming around the main streets. I thought it would be fun if they were actually friends and the cameras captured them hanging out after partying or getting a sweet treat with some of the other animals from Lincoln,” explained the second year Fine Art Student.
The bottom picture, Rudolph on Trailcam, is from video artist Adam Ledger, who is currently completing his BA in Fine Art.
“'Rudolph on Trailcam' attempts to represent my practice as a video artist, as well as contribute towards the theming of Lincoln at Christmas. Utilising techniques such as photo-bashing and photo-editing, photography was combined with some assets from previous video-work in order to create a scene where Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer appears on a night-vision trailcam.”
