Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative

How did it begin?

In 2006 Ellesmere in Shropshire was chosen as the only UK partner for an ambitious international touring exhibition of sculpture in the landscape. The exhibition 'Extramuros' was launched in Ellesmere in March 2007 and toured Spain and Portugal until the summer of 2008.

What happened next?

Following 'Extramuros', a group of volunteers set up the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative to develop the vision of creating a sculpture in the landscape trail through a series of events and projects featuring the work of international contemporary artists. These artists would, where possible, use materials from the local environment and their works would be placed around the town to form the Ellesmere Sculpture Trail. Since 2009 there have been a series of three annual symposia plus other individual sculpture projects.

Email: ellesmeresi@gmail.com

The aim of the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative is to populate a trail around the Ellesmere landscape with sculptures, initially produced during three annual international symposia. The Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative continues with the current

2022 Sculptures and Labyrinth Project, (2018-2022) The Project will finish with The Rights of the Child scupture tba.

2015 Willow Project, an environmental project for Cremone Gardens.

2013 Town Hall, ESI commissioned this piece for the front of the Town Hall.

2012 Canal Etchings, views of particular landscapes at each of five sites along the canal.

Each symposium is held at a specific location and with specific materials; both reflecting a major aspect of the unique area around the town.

2011 symposium, based by the Mere in the Cremorne Gardens and used wood mainly from local trees.

2010 symposium, based in the Canal Maintenance Yard, used wood and metal traditional to canals.

2009 symposium, based in at Wood Lane sand and gravel quarry, used glacial boulders from the quarry.

(click on each year for further details)