Art Oasis

Feel free to browse this page for details on the project, or you can download the final project report below.

Providing 'Art Action Days' for young people 13-24 to get involved in developing exciting new artworks and interpretation  to bring them closer to nature through the arts.

This project was supported by Arwain, Potters Group & The Co-operative.

Students worked with MWT staff to learn about aspects of nature reserve maintenance, conservation , litter and vandalism and interpretation. They enjoyed learning to make willow sculptures and photography which helped gain their Bronze Duke Of Edinburgh Award.

Work with vulnerable adults and young people and local artists to produce nature inspired art. These have been exhibited on four panels that form a trail in Welshpool. A bilingual leaflet with map has been produced and can be picked up at Tourist information, Crafty Pixies Studio, Town Council office and MWT office, or downloaded below.

Newtown College Art and Design course students – worked with the Art Oasis staff to learn about amenity space management and how art can enhance people’s understanding of the environment and foster a healthier respect towards it. Each student designed and presented a nature inspired sculpture which could be placed in a public space. The students chose one design to be taken forward and an artist who would work with them to manufacture. They chose local metal artist and blacksmith Spike Blackhurst to design and build the chosen spider sculpture. The students enjoyed an inspirational ‘hands on’ ‘taster day at Spike’s blacksmith workshop, learning the tricks of her trade. The spider sculpture was galvanized and installed by the Oriel Davies Gallery in Newtown.

A group from Powys Young Carers got ‘hands on’ learning more about how compost toilets work thanks to Andy Warren the owner of NatSol, suppliers of the two we have on our Welshpool nature reserves. These waterless and hygienic systems are used by visiting groups, volunteers and those attending events. The young people were supported to get arty and think and talk about the how conventional toilets can have a negative impact on the environment and how compost toilets are a more sustainable use of resources. The designs were worked up to create a more user friendly way of explaining the process and now will not only be adorning our compost toilets, but also others around the country.

Families of all ages and abilities enjoyed getting arty with natural materials during the Summer holidays at Severn Farm Pond. A variety of activities were provided by Art Oasis staff and volunteers for the large numbers attending. Amongst much loved activities, games and trails, children loved the opportunity to create a unique nature based design. They were then supported to screen print their own design onto cotton bags, kindly donated by Clever Baggers, to encourage plastic free shopping habits.

Art Oasis staff worked with the pupils from Welshpool High school and Student Support staff to design and build and install a wooden tree for ‘The HWB ‘ - a room within the school that acts as a one stop shop for student support services. The ’ Worry Tree’ is to be used therapeutic tool helping to make a connection between the natural world and the students health and wellbeing. Art Oasis staff will be working with Llanfyllin High School students over the Winter to create one for their HWB too.

Local artists Paul Butler and Linda James worked with several local groups of adults and young people, as well as volunteers like the Friends Of Severn Farm Pond, Young Carers and Ponthafren, to gather images which have been incorporated into a series of colourful and inspiring banners for Severn Farm Pond Nature Reserve. These banners depict identified themes that affect the reserve such as Urban/Living landscapes, Sustainability, People, History, Wildlife, Pollution and Flooding. The banners help the Trust interpret important current and future messages to the visiting public as well as the natural, seasonal and functional assets of this important local flood-defence site.

We are excited to report that the much awaited new section of boardwalk has been completed at Severn Farm Pond Nature Reserve. The boardwalk was built by Wildbanks Conservation using recycled and non-slip material that will last the test of time. The access route provides a year round accessible pathway, enabling visitors to enjoy wildlife through the seasons at this enchanting and watery wetland site.

A tremendous 'Thank you!'  to the Roaming Reserves Work Party and Friends Of Severn Farm Pond volunteers that worked so hard dismantling, sifting and sorting and stacking the old timbers ready for repurposing at other sites.

Some welcome boards have been created with the Llogy youth group from Llanfyllin High School. These boards depicting species of flora and fauna found on the site will brighten up the entrance to the popular Llanfyllin Community Orchard.

Art Oasis staff supported the All Wales Guides gathering in Broneirion over the Summer with activities based upon getting to know all the bugs found on the site and making them a giant new home. 450 young guides enjoyed searching for and artfully recording the species they had found. They also took part in gathering and using natural materials to create a Giant Bug Hotel on the site.

The photographic images were taken on the site through the seasons by groups of young students and local volunteers during Art Oasis sessions. Thanks go to City Signs of Welshpool Printing Group for kindly donating time for the digital design of this exciting new interpretation.