As I was out and about on Good Friday delivering copies of Music in Norwich, I took the opportunity to pop in to Norwich Cathedral to see the piece of work installed there by Norwich Contemporary Arts Society in a 4-part exhibition positioned around the city in 4 locations: Norwich University of the Arts, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery and The Cathedral of St John the Baptist, Norwich.

Although I knew that I love her work as I have seen several pieces before, I wasn't really prepared for how much it moved me, nor how impressive the sculptural work and craftsmanship is. I was left with an overwhelming feeling that this piece was saying something so profound about humanity and that it will be around in centuries of time, being studied by our descendants many years hence who will have a sense of how we are from this set of sculptures - like we study the Easter island sculptures or Aztec icons. I can't quite tell you what they will conclude, or what the figures are telling us now but somehow, it is an expression of who we are and how we relate to each other : love, concern, worry, fear, compassion, courage - it is all reflected there in powerfully featured faces and expressive eyes that will tell the world about us in years to come.

Ana Maria Pacheco was head of fine art at Norwich School of Art (now Norwich University of the Arts). 
During her time in Norwich she made friends and developed a bind with the city. Many people are thrilled to have her work here and it has been so skilfully curated by Keith Roberts for the Norfolk Contemporary Art Society (NCAS), in association with Pratt Contemporary. It feels very special for Norwich.

I have only seen two of the works so far - at Norwich Cathedral and another at the NUA Gallery in St George's Street when I went to the opening. It was so crowded it was hard to see the work as the art community of Norwich turned out to greet Ana Maria in person.

Curator Keith Roberts said “Ana’s art encompasses large and enduring themes; violence, journeys, death, love, transformation and metamorphosis reflect her high seriousness, but at the same time her work is neither pompous nor devoid of humour.”

All I can say is that you should go and see, and take the time to be able to look at each piece - as far as I can tell each piece is carved out of a tree trunk, an ash tree I am told - making use of the natural curves of the trunk but still enabling a hugely sophisticated finish of paint, eyes and other additions to create the fine detail. The exhibition are in place for some months but each have different dates so check the details here

Since The Wonder of Birds exhibition opened on 24 May, 39,000 people have visited Norwich Castle, compared with 32,000 in a similar period last year.   

This stunning show has attracted national media attention best summed up in this quote from The Spectator, ‘…this is a real event in the museum world, and worth travelling to see.’

If you haven't seen it yet, there's still time, the exhibition is open until 14 September.  And for an insight into the conservation of the exhibits and the challenges of hanging such a complex show click here.

This beautiful and compelling painting by Hans Holbein the Younger is one of the stars of the exhibition. Research suggests the subject in A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling is likely to have been Anne Lovell from East Harling in Norfolk.

Hans Holbein the Younger A Lady with a Squirrel and a Starling  © The National Gallery, London. Bought with contributions from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and The Art Fund and Mr J. Paul Getty Jnr (through the American Friends of the National Gallery, London), 1992 

There are three special events supporting The Wonder of Birds and Inspired by Birds.

Birdsong as Music: An Evening with Richard Mabey - Thursday 28 Aug, 6 to 8pm.  Price £15, Musuems Pass £13.50.

Golden Gobblers: The Turkey in Art and Life - Weds 3 Sept, 5.45 to 8pm. Dr Tom Duncan presents this year's National Art Fund lecture.  Price £12.

Why are Birds Wonderful? Sat 6 Sept, 10am to 4.30pm.  A study day with writer and environmentalist Mark Cocker, who will lead a panel of expert speakers including Katrina van Grouw, Adrian Marsden, Mike Toms, Francesca Vanke and David Waterhouse. Price £30, Museums Pass £27; includes refreshments and lunch.

For details and to book tickets, telephone 01603 495897. 

But essentially, there is no excuse to miss seeing this ex

As part of the Waveney and Blyth Festival  artist Sarah Cannell is running a series of workshops

Site specific artworks and installations by East Anglian Artists form a trail around the beautiful River Waveney Trust site for the River Art Trail 2014. 

Come and meet some of the artists on site and learn new techniques and approaches to making and creating.
16/08/14 Landscape Drawing - Sarah Cannell
23/08/14 Willow Bird Sculpture - Maggie Campbell
30/08/14 Extreme Crochet - Kally Davidson
30/08/14 Experimental Rush Weaving - Zoe Green
06/09/14 Ephemeral Sculpture - Liz McGowan

All workshops run 10-2pm and cost £20 per person 14+
Call Sarah on 07718 390108 or sarah_cannell@onetel.com to book.

01/09/14 Curator's Guided Walk - Sarah Cannell

Cost £7 including tea and cake 2-4pm.
Call 01379 853464 or geoff@smartangles.com to book.

River Waveney Study Centre, Old Harleston Road, Earsham, Bungay, NR35 2AF.
For more information go to www.waveneyandblytharts.com
Exhibition dates 16/08/14 - 07/08/14
Open weekends and bank holiday 10-4pm entry £2

Call To Artists: En Plein Air Competition
22nd & 23rd October 2014

The first annual Paint Out Norwich en plein air event will be held in October in creative partnership with the Hostry Festival. 

Paint Out Norwich, a unique outdoor event where up to 20 selected artists will paint En Plein Air at some of Norwich's finest historic landmarks, over two days.

The days set aside for painting are Wednesday 22nd & Thursday 23rd October 2014 and the public will be invited to watch the work in progress. Over the two days selected artists will be stationed at some of Norwich's most iconic and historic sites and streets. The works will be exhibited at the Norwich Cathedral and judged by a panel of experts. Prizes will be awarded following a live auction and gala reception with the People's Choice Award winner revealed at the end of the 2014 Hostry Festival.

Interested artists are invited to submit applications by September 1st 2014.

Prizes to be won:
First Prize - £1,000
Second Prize - £500
Third Prize - £250
People's Choice Award - art materials hamper (provided by Norwich Arts Supplies)

For more information, submission guidelines, rules and regulations please visit http://www.paintoutnorwich.org/submissions/apply/