We had a very well-attended exhibition viewing evening tonight at St Andrew's Wickford for Steve Whittle's 'The Way' exhibition. Steve was interviewed and gave some fascinating insights into his career and work. We covered some of the same ground that we covered in our interview for ArtWay. The interview covers Steve's fascinating career and the range of work he undertakes, including his primary focus on collage.
'The Way', an exhibition by Steve Whittle at St Andrew's Wickford (11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN) from 11 January to 18 April 2025. This artist, based in Westcliff-on-Sea based, uses collage to create Stations of the Cross & a range of other scenes, both religious and landscape. St Andrew’s is usually open: Sat 9am-12.30pm; Sun 9.30am-12 noon; Mon 2-3.45pm; Tue 1-4.30pm; Wed 10am-12 noon; Fri 10am-1pm.
‘The main medium I use is collage and over many years I have developed the technique which can be seen in many of the pictures in this exhibition.’
The primary subject matter in Steve Whittle's work is colour, which has been the major theme. The work is often produced in series and is unified by the similar images and combinations of colours that are used. Each picture can therefore be viewed as a component of a group or seen as an individual piece.
The medium Whittle uses is collage and over many years he has developed the technique which can be seen in many of the pictures in this exhibition. Firstly, the paper, which is acid free, is prepared with several coats of acrylic paint in the appropriate colour and the torn paper collage is applied to this surface with acrylic glue in as many layers as necessary to get the correct colour combinations. When the picture is complete it is then coated with UVS varnish.
‘The Way’ includes a series of Stations of the Cross, plus other crucifixion and resurrection images.
The Spring 2025 programme for Unveiled, our fortnightly Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew’s Church (7.00 – 9.00 pm, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN), began tonight:
Spring Programme 2025
These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs.
Our churches are places to enjoy cultural programmes including concerts and exhibitions as well as being places to see art and architecture.
St Andrews Church in Wickford provides regular art, culture and heritage events and we are looking to develop this further. We think that to do so will benefit the Town by bringing more people to the Town Centre. As part of a Feasibility Study exploring what might be possible that is funded by UKFSP Feasibility Fund, we are asking people locally to share what art, culture and heritage activities they are interested in and what they are looking for.
We would be very grateful if you could complete the survey and tell others about it. The survey can be found at https://forms.gle/dmPH7uzAafuAqLzDA. We are keen that as many people in and around Wickford complete the survey as possible.
‘The main medium I use is collage and over many years I have developed the technique which can be seen in many of the pictures in this exhibition.’
The primary subject matter in Steve Whittle's work is colour, which has been the major theme. The work is often produced in series and is unified by the similar images and combinations of colours that are used. Each picture can therefore be viewed as a component of a group or seen as an individual piece.
The medium Whittle uses is collage and over many years he has developed the technique which can be seen in many of the pictures in this exhibition. Firstly, the paper, which is acid free, is prepared with several coats of acrylic paint in the appropriate colour and the torn paper collage is applied to this surface with acrylic glue in as many layers as necessary to get the correct colour combinations. When the picture is complete it is then coated with UVS varnish.
‘The Way’ includes a series of Stations of the Cross, plus other crucifixion and resurrection images.
The Spring 2025 programme for Unveiled, our fortnightly Friday night arts and performance event at St Andrew’s Church (7.00 – 9.00 pm, 11 London Road, Wickford, Essex SS12 0AN), began tonight:
Spring Programme 2025
- 31 January (7.00 pm) – ‘Four Essex Trios’. An evening of poems and photographs with Jonathan Evens exploring thin places and sacred spaces in Essex, including Bradwell, Broomfield, Pleshey, and Runwell.
- 14 February (7.00 pm) – An evening with the Ladygate Scribblers. Hear poetry and prose from a longestablished Wickford-based writers group.
- 28 February (7.30 pm) – Open Mic Night. Everybody is welcome to come along & play, read, sing or just spectate. See you there for a great evening of live performance!
- 14 March (7.00 pm) – Simon Law in concert. Simon has fronted the rock bands Fresh Claim, Sea Stone and Intransit, as well as being a founder of Plankton Records and becoming an Anglican Vicar. This will be his final concert for us before retirement.
- 28 March (7.30 pm) – Dave Crawford & friends in concert. Popular local musician, Dave Crawford writes engaging/melodic songs in Americana/ Alt-Rock/IndieFolk. He has performed at the Leigh Folk Festival, Pin Drop Sessions, & Music for Mind together with Kev Butler. This will be Dave’s third concert at Unveiled. We have also enjoyed his powerful vocals & guitar at our Open Mic Nights.
- 11 April (7.30 pm) – Tim Almond in concert. ‘Around the World in 60 Minutes’ featuring songs and stories from Kenya, Ethiopia, Malawi, Ecuador and Bangladesh.
These events do not require tickets (just turn up on the night). There will be a retiring collection to cover artist and church costs.
Our churches are places to enjoy cultural programmes including concerts and exhibitions as well as being places to see art and architecture.
St Andrews Church in Wickford provides regular art, culture and heritage events and we are looking to develop this further. We think that to do so will benefit the Town by bringing more people to the Town Centre. As part of a Feasibility Study exploring what might be possible that is funded by UKFSP Feasibility Fund, we are asking people locally to share what art, culture and heritage activities they are interested in and what they are looking for.
We would be very grateful if you could complete the survey and tell others about it. The survey can be found at https://forms.gle/dmPH7uzAafuAqLzDA. We are keen that as many people in and around Wickford complete the survey as possible.
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11:59 - Psalm 115 - To Thy Holy Name.
