There have been so many changes and challenges in my life over the past few months. My new studio is up and running. Yay! Our ‘Save the Old Dairy’ Coffee Morning was a great success. We also had a fabulous time at the Heacham Carnival.

On the artistic side, Michelle Louise Carter and I exhibited at Wighton 25 Site/Sight organised by the North Norfolk Exhibition Project. The NNEP was established in 2000 by a group of Norfolk artists.

The yearly exhibitions are an opportunity for artists to step out of their comfort zone and create new work in this environment. This year’s “brief was for a response to Site/Sight. The work considers the significance of the interior and exterior site of All Saints Church, Wighton. A medieval church that sits in a rural setting close to the North Norfolk coast.” A total of 45 artists were selected to exhibit.

Michelle and I took very different approaches.

My sculpture, The Passage – was inspired by a door into the church, a portal or threshold into a space of belief. I questioned the meaning of belief. For me it is a personal journey – one that enhances my own perception of truth. Not only the here and now but something beyond that – something that is greater than ourselves. Inside a church, we celebrate this. My sculpture echoes the shape of the doorway. The branch like elements symbolise the cycle of birth, death and rebirth. I have added elements that explore my journey. Some I have collected on my way around the world.

My personal favourites are the round cameos – photocopies of my artwork over time. During the course of the month, the natural elements intervened and subsequently something new evolved.

This sculpture became a journey in itself. It was built in the heat, wind and rain in my friend Annie’s garden. I was without a studio and still facing the challenge of new materials. In spite of moving the sculpture to Wighton at 20-25 miles an hour, significant damage resulted. Somehow, the context of the artwork within the historic churchyard worked. Even the natural tilt of the sculpture seemed right.

At the end of the exhibition, I decided to remove the sculpture myself (as opposed to the 4 people required to place it). The setting up trauma was over so I embraced this. In spite of having to cause further damage, new ideas emerged. The process was surprisingly liberating. Full circle.

Esther Boehm, www.estherboehm.com

Michelle says, “When we were given the project brief for Wighton25, I immediately envisaged a large tepee created in a way to promote peace. The “Meditation Tepee” took five months to build. I hand spun 20kg of Faroe Island sheep fleeces that were formed into dense waterproof panels to cover the wooden framework, using weaving, knitting and crochet. To finish I made a simple lining with natural linen in a way that as the wind blew through the tepee, the softness fluttered around the body and shoulders of whom was seated inside. During the time of the exhibition visitors added feathers and pieces from herbal plants to enhance the protection process while using the tepee.

I have been astounded with the positive feedback from both other artists and visitors to Wighton25. The experience has definitely been a confidence boost and has directed my next work project towards healing methods and mental health.”

Michelle Louise Carter, MAFA, www.darkartnorfolk.co.uk

With the busy summer season coming to an end, we look forward to concentrating on our fundraising to Save The Old Dairy.

Save The Old Dairy Heacham is a project that was born through my work as an artist and educator. My studio opened in the High Street of Heacham in 2017. Studio @ 55 became a place where people came to develop their skills and creativity in pottery, clay modelling, soapstone carving, sculpture with armatures and linocut. But it wasn’t only the classes that brought people in. It was also the social aspect that was and still is important to everyone. Some have been coming since the studio opened.

GW, “Wow what a wonderful creative space. The time just flies. Esther brings out the hidden artist within, that you never knew existed. Its good value for money, so relaxing and therapeutic. A form of creative meditation. A real asset to our village……”

That says it all!

In 2024 I was given notice to vacate my studio. I noticed that The ‘dilapidated’ Old Dairy at the heart of Heacham was up for sale by tender. It looked like the perfect new home for Studio @ 55 and an opportunity to expand and include other local artists.
The site is currently owned by the Parish Council. It was their ambition to renovate it and build a Community Centre. Unfortunately, this wasn’t possible. However, it was still being marketed as a property for community use by the estate agent. What better way is there for all of us to support the PC’s idea than to turn it into a space for community use?

Studio @ 55 supports these aims.
A lot has happened since then. We have formed Save The Old Dairy charity. Currently, five trustees and many volunteers have come together to raise funds to achieve our goal.

We believe that achieving our vision will be a tremendous asset for Heacham and the surrounding areas.

How you can help us:
• volunteer
• donate
• spread the word

We’d love to welcome you.
Contact hello@savetheolddairyheacham.org

Studio @ 55 now has, for a ‘short time’ at least, a new home at 21 High Street Heacham, PE31 7ER.

So if you would like to find your inner artist, why not come and try:

• Clay Modelling
• Pottery
• Soapstone Carving
• Sculpture with Armatures
• Linocut

Come on by and contact me directly to find out more at eb@estherboehm.com or 07538 986235

Esther Boehm

On behalf of the Save The Old Dairy Project team.
www.savetheolddairyheacham.org
Encouraging Individuality Acceptance and Understanding