When fairies and dragons visited the Barbican!

A life-size swan and a green dragon called Dennis were among more than 370 exhibits on show at this year's Skilled Hands Art & Craft Exhibition. This annual event, organised by Plymouth Age Concern and held at the Charity's centre on the Barbican in June, gave people over the age of fifty the opportunity to display their art and craft skills, imagination and achievement. Many exhibitors took the option of following this year's theme of 'Fairyland”, producing some wonderful pieces of work ranging from fairies and elves to rabbits and toadstools.

Exhibition Organiser, Chris Newham, said “Although the number of exhibits and visitors was a little lower than usual, the standard of workmanship was incredibly high. So much so that some of the judges found it difficult to award a Best In Class because of the quality of exhibits”.

In addition to over a hundred individual entries, the group displays included Westcountry Embroiderers, R.E.A.T.C.H., Nazareth Care Home, MIND, Tor Lace and, of course, Plymouth Age Concern centres.

Over fifty cups were awarded at a presentation held on Monday 20th June and every exhibit received a certificate. Outstanding exhibits included an exquisite embroidery of an exotic bird, a beautiful pottery fairy sitting under a gem tree, and a decoupage of fairies and rabbits. The cup for best display went to Plymouth Age Concern's Elspeth Sitters House for a five foot high tree covered with fairies, pixies and butterflies that had been made by people who attend the centre for day care.

With so many things happening next year such as the Olympics, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the 70th birthday of Plymouth Age Concern and, indeed, the 60th birthday of the Skilled Hands Exhibition itself, the theme “Special Events in 2012” has been chosen for next year's show. The theme also gives exhibitors the opportunity to incorporate a special event in their own lives in their work if they wish.

Full details of next year's Skilled Hands Art & Craft Exhibition will be available from Plymouth Age Concern early 2012.

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