Annual art trail aims to celebrate women

Founder of Shrewsbury Arts Trail, Jess Richards, said it would celebrate "what women are achieving every day"

Shrewsbury's six-week annual art trail is underway, and aiming to celebrate women sculptors.

The trail, which began on Monday, sees sculptures placed around the town centre, as well as other art-themed events.

The trail is "headlined" by pieces from three artists - Halima Cassell MBE, Alice Irwin, and Almuth Tebbenhoff.

"It’s a very personal project to me. We’re delighted to be celebrating the strength of women and female artists," said founder Jess Richards.

'Hurricane', by Hamlima Cassell, was hand-carved in fibreglass and jesmonite

Hamlima Cassell, a Pakistan-born ceramicist and sculptor, has three installations.

One has been placed in front of the main altar in St Mary's Church, while a pair of her sculptures sit in front of Shrewsbury Castle.

Alice Irwin, winner of the 2017 Contemporary Art Trust Prize, has an installation in the open air courtyard at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery.

A 5m (16ft) tall sculpture made by Almuth Tebenhoff, vice president of the Royal Society of Sculptors, sits in the pond in the middle of The Dingle, in Shrewsbury's Quarry park.

'Memento Mori', by Hamlima Cassell

"A male-dominated society isn’t my reality. In my reality, nearly everyone I work with - local decision makers - are all women," said Ms Richards.

"The Shrewsbury Arts Trail sculpture trail this year celebrates what women are achieving every day."

The arts trail programme also includes exhibitions, workshops, talks and performances.

"It’s breaking down the barriers to be able to view and enjoy art," said Ms Richards.

"Rather than having to go to a museum, you can come across art in public places all over the town centre, all free of charge," she added.